Such is life.

for Vickie

she ran up on his car
saw his fear. once
in the arm, twice
in the leg. now his limp
& withered wave
are a badge of honor
among his friends.
he had raped her
three times. Shorty
should have killed him.

———————

Hide and Seek

in time she ran before the counting began
sensing her uncle’s shout. the screeching
of tires. the screams of children. she hid
in the bathroom, like he taught her.

the closet was no good: too easily caught.
the walls were too thin. the tub’s chipped porcelain
could stop the bullets baring the name of her brother
or mother.