She slips out the window

into the night,

doesn’t know where she’s going,

just  knows where she’s been.

A damaged young girl,

whose beauty is hidden

by the cold, black shell

that’s as hard as her heart. 

Running from monsters

who filled her with shame.

Her innocence stolen,

her spirit demolished.

She knows she can’t win.

She knows she can’t stay.

Alone on the streets,

like trash in the gutter.

–

©Shelli Carlisle 2010