CIRCLE TIME
We have it every Friday.
We go round one by one
taking turns to say
what’s on our mind.
Yesterday James discussed
visiting France this summer.
Ahmad talked about his new baby sister;
Ruth spoke of her kitten.
I said nothing. Again.
Just stared at the swirls
on the carpet and shrugged.
Miss Ellis said I didn’t have to talk
if I didn’t want.
And I wish I could tell them.
I wish I could explain
how Dad and Laura
fight in the night
when they think I’m sleeping.
I wish I could talk
of that tangled twine
that tightens round my torso
when they fire those poison arrows.
But I said nothing. Again.
Just kept my eyes down
as that still small voice
murmured once more
how it’s all my fault.
