Once
One

Oblivious to the pain of the world
And of herself

The split
Began

When she could not handle
Her reality

One
Became
Three

But they were not done
These troubled souls
Mourned
Together
Held each other up

But it was not enough
They were
Helpless
Doomed to watch their cruel fate unfold

So three grew into five
Five
Different
The same
Whole
Divided

They thought they were done
Five is plenty
But 6
7?
Must be
Better

Safety in numbers
A motley family
Concealed inside a single
Body

Pain
And safety
Dissociation
And protection

We are a far cry from that little girl