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.