We All Fall Down

This poem spoke to all of the bad thoughts running through my head at the time. It still speaks to the darkness in me when I read through it

 

We All Fall Down

 

It’s really dark. I feel air through the door�"

It’s cold. I shiver, my arms around my knees.

I don’t like this room. It’s stuffy and

Smells like pee…my pee, tears

And sweat.

 

My cheek hurts. My eye is puffy.

Mommy’s mad�"she always is

When she drinks. She says she’s sad because

Daddy left us and that her big-girl drinks

Make the pain go away.

 

I feel pain. My arms are bruised,

Black and blue. I only wanted to watch T.V.

Mommy wanted me to wash the dishes,

But I forgot. She told me she wouldn’t hurt me

If I’d just behave.

 

She is scared. She thinks I’ll tell,

So she locked me in the closet. I said I wouldn’t,

That I’m a good girl. But she’ll let me out again

When the bruises go away.

Then I can go back to school.

 

I like school. My teacher told me about the

Phoenix, a pretty bird that heals people.

When it dies, it catches on fire and is

Reborn from the ashes. He told me

It stands for hope.

 

I still hope. I hope Mommy will be happy again.

I love her, because she takes care of me.

But I still hurt and it’s really dark

And I need to pee again. I knock on the door�"

No answer.

 

I’m tired now. I think about the phoenix,

Fire and hope as I lay down and

Close my eyes. Someone said if you sing a song,

You sleep better. I can only think of one�"

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.

 

-Aaron Stewart

 

Author's Note

I'm mainly concerned about what you think of my use of caesuras and alliteration, as well as my attempt at anchoring the first lines of each stanza. I hope you enjoy!