Once, when I was just a little girl,
I think it was my ankle,
I hurt it one way or another-
Kids will be kids, they say-
So I told my Daddy.
Well the best advice he had was,
“Just hurt something else- it’ll hurt less that way.”
It was never an injury
In their eyes
Unless it was a
Bleeder.

Once, when I was just a little girl,
Mommy was soo sad after having
Her little baby boys-
They call it ‘postpartum depression’
But I’ve always considered it regret and
Even now,
I still wonder,
If they ever wanted me.
I guess that’s the damage inflicted
By knowing that your siblings
Were all mistakes.

Once, when I was just a little girl,
Mommy would get these
Horrible headaches
So I choose silence-
I choose silence a long time ago-
And I haven’t found my voice since.

Once, when I was just a little girl,
Mommy and Daddy turned our house
Into a war zone-
Coming home was like an active tour of duty.
Two super powers constantly at ends-
Well, as you can imagine,
There was collateral damage,
And I can still see it in my brother’s eyes
Whenever Mommy raises her voice
Or a door slams a little too hard.

Once, when I was just a little girl,
I read a poem at school
About killing myself.
It’s funny that some other kids mom
Cared more than mine
For my wellbeing.
Because I still sport battle scars
And they’ve asked
And still did nothing
Even when I lied
Right to their faces.

Well, Once, when I was just a little girl,
My big brother died
And so did everything good
In the world.