Ten in Three

the first child
of this marriage
not this mother
a surprising birth
this baby normal
fingers and toes
all healthy wiggles
but grandmother sees 
recognizes the spark
looking at her
with knowing eyes
a focused gaze
an old soul
why here/now?

a hard journey
much pain ahead
but strength inside
love will survive
Four years old
wisdom outs her
genius test results
dad is proud
mom is jealous
doctors use her
study for years
tests upon tests
where's the data
did they pay?

still her anchor
grandma gives love
without any strings
takes her walking 
playing in leaves
swinging and sliding
being a child
safe for days
even at night
then it happens
the house burns
the other grandpa
was that after
or in parallel?

school is different 
so is she
a safe place
there every day
evil doesn't come
learning is power
books are escape
when she tells
teachers don't believe
so she stops
separates her lives
into different worlds
hiding places multiply
is anywhere safe?

inside the home
a new face
schooling the boys
ruining their lives
sis doesn't know
for a while
a nice neighbor
serves cinnamon toast
she might believe
then it happens
the house burns
bride and groom
never seen again
did they live?

school moves on
the secrets grow
Sunday school starts
a sacred place
another trusting face
the Easter hat
the shiny shoes
can't hide sin
voices are quiet
murmurs in private 
souls are searched
marks are seen
then it happens
the church burns
where'd they go?

time are changing
races are clashing
people are angry
flames at night
white sheets rally
chanting and marching
I see them 
I know them
the brown shoes
give them away
the bootlegger's brothers
uncles and cousins
men from church
is everyone crazy?

a doctor discovers
the secret inside
wrong ones blamed
dark of night
a hanging man
on court square
revenge comes next
our home invaded
the family shattered
all is seen
white sheets ride
raiding and raping
burning the undertown
when is enough?

stories are squashed
trials are hidden
wrong ones jailed
time moves on
the doctor discovers
more secrets inside
uncovering the lies
knowledge is power
records bring danger
scandals choke him
then it happens
the hospital burns
the clinic burns
are ashes answers?

she acts normal 
her brain scrambled
the proof destroyed
time moves on
kids grow up
most people forget
studies now resume
memories stay buried
her body knows
flames live on
evil never dies
the barn burns
the yard burns
she turns ten.
 
c. 12/2008 B. Riley