fortress

crouched low on the closet floor

surrounded by boxes and shelves that tower over me,

i try to breathe

the phone pressed againt my cheek, wet with tears

I'm six years old again and my parents are fighting.

I hear my sister talking quietly to her friends

and the word is divorce

but it's not.

the word is lesbian

and I'm sixteen and in high school

and I feel small and scared.

but this tiny space is safe

because these walls are solid, 

and their protection is real

and no one can take them away from me.