the girl in the red skirt
is starting to get a cold.
her nose runs in her sleep
now and the sheets
are soaked with sweat
from the nightmares
she can never remember
or the fevers she's trying
to break.
she's a helpless little
elephant's child
and she'd give anything
to be beaten
by her family
again
and
again
and
again
until she's finally
had enough
and decides to
search for the answer
of what crocodiles
eat.