Shame is a university sweatshirt
hiding the constellation on her arms,
mulberry stains left by his grip
after another sleepless night.
Her body stiffens
every time a bedroom door opens.
Her mother asks why she's not eating.
The stepfather, silent. Watching.
Her throat clenches, remembering his tongue.
At the community pool,
Her muscles constrict
with a different tension.
A good tension.
One day, she’ll be strong enough
to resist.