small body bound across knee,
manicured hand brings hairbrush to skin,
white, crackling, searing light,
maryjanes kick out and back,
Tears burst through clenched lids,
deep gulps and hiccupped gasps,
sobbing pleas for it to end,
swallow hard,
catch the breath,
heave the sigh,
unclench the jaw,
dry the tears,
bury the shame.
nuance 