~~~~

 

le mot juste
© 2008 michele may

 

with a child's ears
she listens
to his voice rise in anger
outside her door.
unseen noises
terrorize her heart
with each vibration.
clutching her blanket
in bed
in the dark
trying to keep quiet
and be brave for her brother.
silently praying for the noises to stop.
it'll be ok
she tells him.
tomorrow
it will be ok
again.

so trusted.
so frightening.
so confusing to a child's ears.