6 years old
tiny feet on the cold kitchen tile,
her mother pointed to the cookie jar,
"don't."

8 years old
socks on the wood,
she started to spin happily,
her mother huffed loudly
"don't."

10 years old
flip flops on the sidewalk,
a man walking his dog
on a sunny afternoon,
she reached her hand out,
her mother slapped it
and angrily whispered to her
"don't."

13 years old
feet off the ground,
her father was mad
no sign of love in his dark eyes,
her mother sat watching
but she didn't say
"don't."

15 years old
tennis shoes on the wood,
she sat in the guidance counselors office
uncomfortable and shy,
he asked her
"how? how'd you get that black eye?"
she sat silent
her mom's
"don't"
echoing in her mind.

17 years old
heels on the edge,
no one's voice echoing
"don't"
in her head.

17 years old
she flew straight down,
an angel with no voice