Youth

Youth

All the cover-up in the world couldn’t hide the bruises.
Such a pretty face lost to the shadows,
only fifteen and longing to be older
because that’s what we all want.
Well this is the end isn’t it,
turn the page and watch her fade
til there’s nothing left but tear-stained eyes.
Curled on the ground with her teeth biting her knees,
the words come swiftly
but they don’t come easy.
One penny for your thoughts,
two for a peek down your shirt,
three for a hand groping at a slice of tender girl-flesh.
They didn’t believe her when she told them,
now her mascara’s running,
her mouth stained red
and her eyes blurry from crying.
Lying in her bed, hand seeking her flesh,
he will devour her whole,
and no one will hear her pleas.