| Baby blue, robin’s egg blue, silver coated radiator Turquoise organdy curtains billowing in a gentle breeze Gross grain ribbon threaded in the lace hem Chintz bedspread with rose flowers in the design A ruffled bedskirt touching wood floors Full length mirror in the closet door to study a young body. |
| Nancy Drew books in the bookcase Dolls gently placed on the bed On the radiator, on top of the bookcase Cherub and kitten prints on the walls A bottle of Friendship Gardens toilet water A private place for reflection and secrecy. |
| A Singer floor pedal sewing machine Making pretty outfits for dolls A record player for Elvis and Fats Domino A diary hidden in my underwear drawer Pages printed for different subjects “My favorite boys,” “My favorite movies.” |
| My safe room Webs of dreams Freedom from expectation One violation Boy hands on my diary Boys laughing. |
| Floating on the ceiling Relief from unknown pain A cigarette glowing just outside The screen by my bed. Frozen in my sweaty pajamas Unable to get help. |
| Bass drum in the rear of the auditorium Dances without dancing Boys without boyfriends Pretty clothes too shy to wear Sitting alone in my room This is what was. |
| Sheila W. Mooney July, 2009 |