by Lynnie Gobeille
she waits at the bus stop
thinking of ways
to avoid tonight’s darkness.
this newest one’s random attacks.
tugging on her sweater
pulling it higher
hiding his love bites
those marks that remain.
this one pays the rent
gives her mother some cash.
why would she shout
encourage their wrath?
dreaming of any other place
praying for detention
a reason to stay late
to not have to go home.
who is she gonna’ tell
who’s gonna’ listen
to the sadness hidden deep
in a twelve-year-old's moans
too many uncles
have climbed into her bed
leaving her naked
bruised and alone.
Lynnie Gobeille has published in The Sow's Ear Review, Crone’s Nest, The Avatar, The Prairie Home Companion, This I Believe (NPR), New Verse News, The Providence Journal (Poetic License) and The Naugatuck River Review. Editor of the Providence Journal Poetry Corner (South County Edition). Member of The Origami Poems Project, a state wide “free poetry event” based in Rhode Island.
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