12 years

That day
Sydney was hit by the hail storm
the establishment was quiet
the sheets were white and clean
the candles were burning as usual
sending out choking artificial fragrance
the room
was claustrophobic as usual
she pulled out the Target catalog
looking through the baby supplies

who would think
she fell pregnant on the job
and
she hid it well
to keep working
to keep saving
towards her freedom

she really enjoyed the peace and respite
but
good time didn’t last
the warm liquid gushing between her legs
the red ink spreading on the snow white sheets

Mama Mama! She called out for help
the scrawny faced woman rushed in
then
rushed her to the hospital
she had blood on her hands
just didn’t want to have more blood
soaked into her soul

The birth of her baby boy
marked the return of her freedom
12 years
she suffered in silence
without identity
without freedom
without hope

She named him Isaac
for her heart was filled with laughter
being delivered from her captivity