When Elizabeth Pretended To Sleep Poem by Raj Dronamraju

It was a compromise that made no one happy
That satisfied neither of the aggrieved parties
Both sides went home and paced frenziedly and broke dishes and kicked holes in doors and walls

And this type of emotional discharge reached out long, thin fingers of electricity
And they zapped Elizabeth as she lay in bed wide awake

She closed her eyes for the benefit of those looking in on her
And they quickly saw what they wanted to see and turned around and went back out
There was no way sleep was going to happen tonight

Uncertainty led a restless charge against an ill-prepared defense
Poured ice cold water on her nerves just when she was getting comfortable

She danced with worry in time with a swirling night
She didn't choose fear, fear tapped her on the shoulder and cut in
In the morning, she'd rub a heavy head
And not answer when asked questions by adults