she closed her eyes and counted to ten
Just like momma told her
When she was done, she counted again
And she wished through the tears
Someone would hold her.
She dreamed of a perfect family
While she counted and counted away

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
She dreamed of a world
Where brother would come back again
She dreamed that momma didn’t cry
She wished with those tightly closed eyes
That she didn’t wish she wanted to die

Only five years old she hoped to god
One that she didn’t even know
That loud noises could be drowned out
By the numbers in her head
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Wished momma could come back from the dead
Wished her world wasn’t filled with these
Horrible
Horrible excuses for men