Cover Up Stories

Cover Up Stories

She said
"I'm fine,"
even though she
wasn't okay.

He said
"I'm not hungry,"
even though
he was starving.

Can't you see
the bags
under her eyes,
and the
dry smile that hides
the tears?

Can't you see the
ribs
peaking under
his shirt?
Did you not
once hear
the sounds
from
behind the
door
as his throat
burned?

You say
"go away"
but I wonder
if it means
for me to
stay.

Because I
saw the bruises,
and heard the screaming.
I heard you begging
"Daddy please,
not me;
it's me!"

"I'm better"
and
"I'm okay"
are
the games
I've
played;
I know them well.
By the school yard,
covered in thorns
we pretend
that
these illnesses
and abuses
and
pains
and
bullies
are all
just harmless
and will
go away if
we let them.

We may hope
and
wish-
but
it takes
more
than a star
to make
these dark nights
turn to day.