how i learned


      by Makeda Norris

          mashed
          by the invisible monster
          small
          small
          and smaller
          still
          shrinking
          disappearing
          into a minute
          insignificant
          speck

          that was how
          they silenced me
          shame is so powerful
          one does not need weapons
          or devices
          or exotic instruments
          of torture
          a look
          reinforced
          by a menacing gesture
          and it's done
          a little one's
          delicate
          ego
          is stripped
          of all its protective casings
          the innocence
          the naivete

          the joyous exuberance

          finally
          there's absolutely
          nothingness

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              Last update: 11 May 2000

              URL: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/kaleidoscope/volume1/howilearned.html

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