She’s seduced by confident looks
The promise of protection
She’s unsure, unsteady, unknown
Straight into his arms she runs
Confused bird
Wings still growing
Dazzled child
Heart in awe
She’s told her thoughts don’t matter
And that pleasure’s not for her
She just has to listen and please
For now, let go of other dreams
Stunted bird
Away from light
Blinded by
Another’s sight
She learns to hold her tongue
Suppress what’s viewed as wrong
Moulding her future to his wish
She makes her life defined by his
Trapped bird
Wings clipped
Lost girl
Voice unheard
She hides beneath his shadow
Too weak to crawl away
She takes joy from the false delight
Of being what she’s ought to be
Fallen bird
Wings broken
Lonely girl
Bred to serve
The memory lingers on
The shame, the hurt, the pain
Piercing moments, intimate
Invader in the night
Crippled bird
Wings deformed
Haunted girl
Wanting more
It’s time to face the truth
Then leave it all behind
With new wings take to the sky
Become the woman she can be
Image: David Seguin, Young woman