SMACK!

i was itching to crawl out of my skin

the pulsing sting radiated across my back

there was no escape from the searing pain, no relief

feeling trapped in my own body, i simply had to push through the torment

muffling my cries, i took deeper and deeper breaths

until i could pretend it didn't hurt anymore

until i could act like everything was normal

but that lump in my throat was thick and hard

no swallowing allowed, when there are hooks in your back

when you've been set on fire and left to burn

so when i finally retreated from the gaze of unwelcome eyes

i let myself cry

amongst the pain and the terror and the hopelessness,

this was my greatest relief