The Little Girl That Could
by Odin Roark

Like every other night
She knows she will awaken hurt

What used to appear as warnings
Now trod viciously across her dreamscape
Trampling any flowers
Choosing to appear

So now…

Now she sets up her shadow guard
There’s planning to be done

Lying in bed
Her night candle behind her
Fingers and hands position
Toy warriors from Phoenician times
Cavalry on horseback from great granddad times
Action figures from Marvel’s super-hero times

Like an encircled wagon train
The guardian army surrounds
Her slumber-to-be
Her vengeance-to-be

No schoolyard bullies will enter
No girlie pranks will demean her
No teacher or priest will shame her

Tonight as eyelids close
Dreams will venture freely
Plans will begin to meld
Tomorrow's retaliation
Will prepare its weaponry

How wicked the joy
This Halloween coming