First Painful Memory

Fingernails down my spine
I was only nine
Standing in line
For a game of limbo at the skating rink
I’m on the brink

Eyes brimming with tears

That barbaric, beastly bitch
Somebody get her OFF of me!
Can’t they see
the blood on my shirt?

I run home
Her giggles screeching through my molecules
Hoping when I find my safe haven
Mommy will help me.

Mommy’s drunk tonight
And a whole new set of fingernails
tear at my will to
Keep going.