Title:  VOICES
Author:  Wanda Todd

Smiling through her hidden tears,
the little girl stood
silently
in the doorway of the house
with the black upstairs.

Laughing through her hidden fears,
the little girl sat
quietly
on the third step of the stairs
with her brown bear.

Shaking through her hurting soul,
the little girl waited
alone
under the table of wood
with hidden, chewed gum.

Crying through her hurting heart,
the little girl told
finally
about the secrets of abuse
with a whispered scream.