The Memory

Footsteps
Tapping softly in the misty, autumn night
Then, I see the knife
A hand grabs, drags me into the darkness
He is wearing a ski mask, but I can see into his heart...
He is not a wolf, only a big, dumb beast
The lust in his eyes does not glitter with hate, I think

The knife cuts
My bra straps fall like white satin ribbons in the moonlight
Behind the lilacs he forces me
To do things only meant for love
He reeks of nervous sweat and dirty genitals
His fingers are locked in my hair
The blade is cold against my throat
"I should kill you", he whispers his shame
I take his arm and babble a lie
"Just walk me to the streetlight. I'm afraid of the dark."
He escorts me like a gentleman
To the pool of light on the sidewalk
"You're crazy," he says
Then he is gone

But I am not crazy
I have just outwitted him
I feel no fear...no silent scream fills my mouth
I am numb
Sickened by my defilement
(You should be grateful you're alive)
I do have one grateful thought
I'm glad it was me and not one of my little sisters

It is the 60's...I cannot tell
But I do
I tell them again and again
Show them the place
I thinks one of the policemen smirks
I find the man's picture in the book
It is the 60's...there was no witness
He has to hurt someone first

I begin to run down the long corridor of time
Pursued by a large black dog
Who snarls, rips my garment to shreds

Now, I sew
In and out, in and out
The needle pierces
Pulling the thread of remembering
I keep sewing
Hoping to mend this thing
So I can finally wear
My shredded soul
Again