Warning: This might be a trigger for some people ______________________________________________ Crying Pressed into a corner Whimpering Hands over ears Anger Yelling Flashes back to childhood Hands shaking Rocking back and forth Flinches when someone comes close Can’t breathe Silence Freezes Braces for slap For more yelling Instead A gentle hand Am pulled close Rubs my

Trapped

Gagged and bound Set adrift, lost and alone To struggle on my own Never to be found   Can’t say a word Can’t protest Can’t follow along with what you say But if I don’t, it’d make a huge mess   Can’t speak Bound and trapped Under your thumb, from me not a squeak As