One Long Night

how she deals with a rape and its aftermath effects

hands grab
push down
body to ground

rip clothes
pull hair
choke my air

I crawl out of my skin
as he penetrates within
emergency shutdown
not my body on the ground

the sweat
the cold
the fear

he leaves
I’m left
here

I crawl into my bed
clench the sheets
I crawl into myself
and never leave

try to trust
try to smile
let you stay awhile

scent of love
rushes in
I push it out again

they lock me down
and I gasp for breath
ripped within and without
Those hands were death.