The branches bend, the whispers scream,
Pop the bubble, shatter the dream.
Strawberry lips, sweet with rot,
“Can you keep a secret?” She forgot.
Violence bleeds, running cold,
Winter veins, no heart to hold.
Stone beats hollow, fire burns red,
She’s alive, but inside she’s dead.
Momma said, “Pick one or two,”
She picked him, she never picked you.
Cries fell flat, the echoes lied,
Left her kid to fight or die.
Throw a punch, break the skin,
Storm rolls in, let the dark begin.
Kick in teeth, spit out hate,
She’s the girl you’ll never save.
No sweet songs, no bedtime grace,
Just screams carved deep into her face.
“Strawberry,” she hums, sharp and neat,
“Can you keep a secret?” Her rage complete.
For those girls lost in the system and are never going to be saved, I could have been one of you.