Into a world of words

She would sit cross legged

in a lime green vinyl

bean bag chair.

A Walmart special.

It felt cool

under her hands,

and the styrofoam beads

would hiss

as she shifted her weight.

Stretch pants.

Scrunch socks.

Big t-shirts.

Her bare feet kept hidden

from the itchy green carpet.

She would read her books

or watch

Clarissa Explains It All.

Sometimes she would

play Super Mario Brothers

at full volume

when the screaming would start.

Alcohol.

Explosive anger.

Threats and paranoid accusations.

At seven years old

familiar with it all.

The sound of the crack

of a beer can

became physical pain.

Things were thrown.

Dining room chairs

would swing around

in the air.

She learned the best ways

to dismiss herself quietly.

How to escape

into a world of words,

to always be ready

to fend for herself.