The Child

Pinch me thrice, and tears may fall

Quietly to myself, in hidden rooms,

Behind secret doors.

My best kept secrets lie deep within.

NO, STOP! I scream with no echo

To bounce off the invisible walls

That always surround me.

All muscles tense. Body stiff as stone,

As the internal war is waged,

I beg the child within to obey,

And stay,

Quietly to herself, in hidden rooms.

Behind secret doors,

Or else her secrets are mine no more.

-N.B.