Handstands

by Michelle Goulevitch

Standing on hands, feet in the air
The length of time up, makes the winners name clear.

Laughing and falling
Falling and laughing
That’s how it should be.
Something different however,
happened to me.

As we’re now in the day,
instead of ‘Nightman’,
it is his first name that I say.
He comes in the night;
and he comes in the day.
I get no break from him having his way.

My dress is lifted up, to remove my underwear
I’m nervous and scared, I’m naked down there.

Then Red arrives, he’s a creep too
He makes me uncomfortable
I know what I’ve been instructed to do.

I put it off as long as I can
I’m only a little girl, how can I question this grown man?

He is impatient and Red wants to see
So I do what I’m told
My dress falls down and I don’t want to be me.