Circles shadow,
Dull the sparkle in her eye.
Chains bind,
restraining her heart.
Etch words of hate.
Burn her writhing skin.
The knife stabs deeper,
Penetrating her soul;
Crushing hope.
Light only lingers, it no longer dances;
Fading the smile
That captured hearts.
Cheeks no longer rosy,
Muscles strained;
Pain overtakes all.
Where is the joy?
It used to radiate,
Spreading at her every word.
All we see now:
Clothing hanging limply,
Shrouding her pale skin.
Shivering, living
Moment to moment.
Hanging by a thread.
Struggle.
Her life is a struggle.
Smiling,
She just wants to cry.
Masking her scars,
Preparing for battle,
Preparing for the next breath.