QUESTION MARK

She crouches in the corner -
a question mark of silence -
darkness comforting her
prays there is no moonlight
to make her visible.
But still the darkness does not shield her
this little girl
alone.
No protection behind her mother’s skirt
nor her own hands covering her mouth
her frightened giggle.
“She’s very shy isn’t she?” they ask.
Why don’t they ask the right questions?
Is she alright? No, I am not.
She seems frightened? Yes, I am.
Does she need help? Yes, I do
please.
But too many times, the ones who
could have, should have
protected, helped her
did not.
Now, the woman
opens her hands with her writing
cradles her face as she cries
shields herself from the darkness
prays the moon will heal her.
And she crouches in the corner -
a question mark –