Monster

“Mommy, there’s a monster”

you’d always check the closet

under the bed

behind the curtains.

You didn’t realize

the monster I feared

was the man who

curled up beside you

at night.

While you were sleeping

the monster crept in

tickling me awake

I bit back my screams

praying you’d wake up,

come to see for yourself

what he could do to me.

Justice never arrived,

every tear that fell

never wiped away.

I picked up my pieces.

Learned that monsters

can't hurt you

if you can’t feel anything.