daddy left them when she was three
always wondering “why he abandoned me”
her mommy said “he wanted a son”
blamed her for what her daddy done

at eight years old, getting close to dark
a fourteen year old playing in the park
“Come over here.”, “What is your name?”
innocence lost, living the shame.

at the age of twelve, late one night
mommy’s “friend” turned on the light
he whispered softly, “Do not cry”
she made not a peep, nor tear in the eye

at sixteen years old, she ran away
her and Jack moved to San José
one week later, like every man
him chasing a blond’s bikini tan

scared and alone, on the street
finding ways to make ends meet
drunken men in smoke filled bars
opened wallets in the back of cars

now twenty-four, with two of her own
loved by men, but feeling alone
still a young girl who’s scared and afraid
endowed with a debt that can never be paid

a handful of pills, a glass of wine
tucks in the kids one last time
sheads a tear for the eternal sleep
prays the Lord her soul to keep