It’s amazing what a family
won’t talk about.

If we don’t talk about
the Rape
then it didn’t happen
    and she’s not depressed
    and she doesn’t need therapy
    and she changed schools for no reason.
It didn’t happen.

If we don’t talk about
the Cutting
then it didn’t happen
    and she’s not depressed
    and she doesn’t need medication
    and she cries sometimes for no reason.
It didn't happen.

But we don’t talk about
these things
and they did happen
    and they are depressed
    and they do need help
    and they have better Reasons than the family can fathom.
It did happen.

And their Hearts only bleed more
for the Silence.

01/15/2003

Author's Note: When I took my printmaking course I did my final (a copper etching) based on this...

Posted on 01/16/2003
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