The Girl

I still remember her smile

The way she grinned at me shyly

She loved to smile I think

I never asked her so I don’t know for sure

She would tell me of her dreams

Of her wishes to get away and get out

And I wished so badly I could do something but I could not

She worked so hard

Washed so many dishes

I felt so bad when people were mean

I saw cry and her tears ached me

She had such small hands and feet

I still remember her big smile

I didn’t get to talk to her much

Her work overtook her life

Yet I felt bad

I watched her work so hard

Yet they did not stop yelling

Continued to yell

At times I would lock myself up and cry

Cry because I couldn’t do anything

Why did she have to be here in this way

Why did she have to be in so much pain and agony

She talked about her mom and said she missed her

She talked fondly of her village at home

I saw the sparkles in her eyes

The aspirations dreams the desires

How was she any different from me?