When I was all of seven years old
I was recorded,
For a television show
Not, the first spot
I'd done
As, a child
Guess, all of the adults
Thought, I was pretty cute
That day
I had my long, straight hair
Done up in pigtails
The make-up lady
Put purple eyeshadow
On me
And, lipgloss too
I really loved that
I sat, in front of the camera
And, recited, my book report
My librarian had chosen me
To do this show
The entire on-camera time
Was, but, a few minutes
Afterward, my librarian
Took me to Mcdonald's
I remember feeling SO SAD
Because, she asked me
About, my family
I wanted to tell her
SO BADLY
That, my father beat me
On a regular basis
It wasn't just spanking
No, it was actual, beating
I, got all choked-up
And, just stared,
At my food
Forcing myself,
To not look too conspicuous
Fighting, the tears,
And, the lump, in my throat
I decided, not to tell her though
My seven year old rationale
Told me,
That, I didn't know her
Well enough...