Understanding

Lost in the world around her The kids in school call her names, Mock her ripped clothing No one knows the truth. She goes home to a drunken father, A broken mother and a missing brother, The shadows of her heart, Same as the darkness of her room late at night. The tears in her eyes, From the sting of her fathers’ hand and the words of the popular girl. The words unspoken on her lips, Wishing to tell the teacher she doesn’t have parents to help her with her homework. All she wants is the understanding of others; To understand why her clothes are ripped, Why she doesn’t wish to talk about her brother Why she doesn’t understand what they teacher says during class.