(Poem will be in 2-3 Parts)
(Part 1)

A child’s smile

So innocent. So loving.

A stranger’s hands

So rough. Coarse and brutal.

He takes the girl by her hand

He says, “I will take good care of you”

The little girl knows no better

She was only 8.

The car door slams shut 

Like a great shark closing its 

sharp, jagged jaws on its prey. 

She questions where they’re going

He ignores; his grip on the wheel tightens

His knuckles protruding from his pale skin

He’s nervous and shaky, 

Eyes wildly flashing, checking his rearview mirror every second

The little girl is scared. 

By the time they had arrived the sky was thunderous

The girl looked around, eyes drenched in fear

She begged him to bring her back 

He hit her fiercely; the light faded from her eyes

She was only 8