In God's Name Poem by Annalee Somerville

In the creaking of the farmhouse,
footsteps drawn near,
my heart pounded louder
with every echo of fear.

The door creaked open,
beady eyes peered inside,
hollow whispers lingered,
and, I held my breath to hide.

A cross above my bed,
offered little hope,
Gods silence was deafening,
I was left alone to cope.

Fingers felt like gritty oil,
breath heavy with decay,
The night was like a coffin,
I prayed would take me away.

Nights blurred through the day,
their touch consumed my mind,
I counting every second,
praying to God to let me die.

Off to church they'd go,
Asking God to forgive.
God gave them absolution,
And my body marked their sins.