I did it again, mama....
     I took your words to heart.

But, I left them there.


"Don't touch it baby, it will hurt you!"
You would always say this to me.
Mama,
     Why can't I stop touching?
And mama,
     He wasn't a stranger....
              ....but afterwards....
     he.... became.....one.

You were right, mama.
     Strangers do hurt me.

Can't I just be your little girl again?
With my scraped knees
And my bruised chin?
Falling out of trees
or off my bycycle
Where there would be a kiss
To make me feel better.
AND a hug!

God.... Mama,
   Read me a story
of knights in shining armor,
Of princesses,
Of those fairytale men.
Can I trade you stories for mine?
For they are far much better,
They'd loll me to sleep,
I wouldn't cry...

I did it again, mama.....
     I took your words to heart.

But, I left them there.