Seeking refuge in the dark

Sadness filters through her trembling body

The shower hides her tears

Pilfered Home, Broken Trust

Sadness filters through her trembling body

Friendships broken, Loyalties divided

Pilfered Home, Broken Trust

Picking up the pieces

Friendships broken, Loyalties divided

Fear of what cruelty is next

Picking up the pieces

Protecting children from shattered truths

Fear of what cruelty is next

Knowing the patterns of crippled minds and severed souls

Protecting children from shattered truths

Washing away sorrow and fears

Knowing the patterns of crippled minds and severed souls

The shower hides her tears

Washing away sorrow and fears

Seeking refuge in the dark

A pantoum poem by “Twinkle” Marie Manning