I hide you from the world.

I do not scream out

even when you slide into my bed

in the middle of the night

wrapping your icy fingers

around my breast.

 

I deny you exist.

Even when your blows

fall upon my aching spine

wringing  salty tears

that I hold down within

these eyes of mine.

 

I walk hand in hand with you.

Yet I dare not say your name

even as I feel you

in every breath I take.

I know that you’re ’round the corner

for that’s where you wait.

 

I know I tremble in your hands

so you think that I am weak.

But when you look into my eyes

look hard and look deep.

For you can keep me from sleeping

but you can never own me.