July 28, 2022:
My daddy's face is scratchy, when he kisses me.
My mommy's face is smooth and soft.
Daddy is scary, mommy is comforting and kind.
Daddy is strong, mommy is weak.
Daddy says mean things, mommy is silent.
Mommy has bruises on her arms.
She says they're from being clumsy:
she walks into doors.
Her family think she's lying.
Later, all the years we live without him,
I never see her walk into a door.
Not even once.