Icy water flows, the memories of cold hands

aching thoughts keep drifting in

STOP! STOP!

skin prickling, itching, never able to escape

icy water drips to nothing

a trembling hand reached up

the mermaids on a towel swirled

in the glassy eyes of a girl

too small, too young to know that hurt

harsh footsteps echoed down the hall

out the door

left to lie wrapped up alone

forcibly plunged into a sea of grief

yet the universe moves on

like the cruel tides, pounding against hulls

with no remorse for ships or children alike

water flows once more

mirroring the gentle storms of spring

steam enfolds the floor beneath

I can’t do this.

cold hands wrap my neck again

the gentle storm shifts to a hurricane

I’m repeating the screams that were never heard

I can never escape.

warm water drips, the faucet pulled to a stop

the hands slowly fade into memories again

a girl wrapped on the floor just as before

echoes of footsteps pounding against her head

the thoughts trying to escape, sinking into the abyss

only to be churned by the storm.