Author Information
Scream of the Butterfly
She walks confidently
down the crowded hallway
with her head held high
as they spread the rumors
of failed pregnancies
drained martinis
and who said what to her
And when she gets into the bathroom
and sits inside her stall
she stuffs her sweater in her mouth
to muffle the scream that escapes from her throat
and her boyfriend laughs hautilly
with his doped up football friends
while her parents stare accusingly
at her makeup smeared face
though she tries to hide it
the streaks through her foundation
it does her no good
and when people notice
she knows they don't care
they're just begging for an excuse
to tell another story
start another myth
yet she never gives up
on leading a normal life
and she eats her fist
to quiet the screams of a butterfly
They worship her
and hate her
for all the gifts she was blessed with
but she hates herself
her inadequacy
and she struggles each day
to keep a smiling face
pasted over her hurt-filled eyes
she struggles each day
to hide the bruises
her father painted on last night
she struggles each day
to be normal
to not be sad or angry
she struggles to keep them all wondering
and she struggles each night
to muffle her screams
the screams of the butterfly
