In Memory of the Girl We Didn't See

A nice girl of 10

She held the world in her hand

She wore a smile above her chin

She danced along with her friends

A brave girl of 11

She learned that she’d never be the same

She had to stab herself with needles

She had to sit out when the other children played

A lost girl of 12

She missed her daddy like hell

She wore a frown between her cheeks

She sat alone wherever she went

A powerless girl of 13

She learned she wasn’t good enough in school

She started feeling “sick” once a week

She wanted to drop out for good

A sad girl of 14

She gave away her love

She cowered in corners

She hid under her baggy clothes

A curious girl of 15

She picked up a guitar and escaped

She found serenity there in her music

She wanted to be heard by the world

A lonely girl of 16

She held hope in her hands

She searched for a love

She had bigger plans

A hurt girl of 17

She lost her one true love

She hated her body

She starved herself to nothing

A scarred girl of 18

She carved her skin with a knife

She burned her skin with Marlboros

She drank every night

A lovely girl of 19

She will always be remembered

as the nice girl of 10

because no one saw any better

3-6-2018