You will get off the school bus
After an hour-long ride
You will feel like an alien
Accidentally dropped earth side

Abandoned houses will surround you
The windows, covered with bars
All of the yards will be overgrown
And riddled with broken down cars

Your eyes will dart
From one side to the other
Making sure the coast is clear
Before you run home to mother

You will run and run harder
Through one last alley
Your home is the tower motel
It will feel like an uncanny valley

You won’t care about the crack pipes
Or the eviction notice taped to the door
Your only worry in the world?
Will be someone seeing you for what you think you are

A walking embarrassment
With tarnished old shoes
Living in a motel
Clinging to her smoky ruse

You will live this double life
As the gifted girl without a home
But please know, you will get out of here soon
You do not have to endure this all alone

What if someone see’s you?
What will you do if you get caught?
You will be wrapped up in one worry
But there is one thing you forgot

If you run so well
You will never get to see
What happens if they catch you
Is almost always nothing, fortunately

All that running in order to survive
It will teach you to be fast and to be sly
It will train you but maim you
It will teach you too well how to say goodbye

You are almost 30 now
Two decades since those days
You have nothing more to hide
The only thing left to rid is the shame

My dear, don’t worry if they catch you
Don’t let this be your only thought
Let your tired legs give out
You will know peace when you are caught

For when you are caught
Your legs get to rest and heal
Trust that they will see you
For what’s right, what’s good and what’s real

A resilient daughter
A fearless friend
Living in a house built from truth
With walls that no longer pretend