Protect the Child

I was Little Red Riding Hood.
I was running from your bare teeth,
your maniacal grin,
your raspy voice:
“I'm going to get you, little girl.”

I was Little Red Riding Hood.
I was hiding from your harsh hands,
your insatiable hunger,
your watering mouth:
“I'm going to gobble you up.”

I was Little Red Riding Hood.
I was naïve enough to trust you,
your cold heart,
and even colder words:
“This is all your fault.”

I was Little Red Riding Hood,
running through woods of worry.
There was no axe-man to save me.
You're still out there

and she will be Little Red Riding Hood.