20th October 2016

Prompt-'A shattered wine glass'  by MiriSaraie

Her mother's soft lips pressed on her forehead, with a gentle smile.

The sweet smile failed to conceal the fear hidden in those eyes

She could hear the words of a silent prayer for protection

And the soft restraint, to stay within the safety of these walls.

The little girl curled into the warmth of her mother's lap;her safe haven.

The familiar scent of winter roses, cocooned and soothed her.

The gentle stroke of long fingers on her hair and the soft tunes of a lullaby,

Lulled her frightened mind, till she drifted off, into a peaceful slumber.

She woke up alone in her bed, to a house that was still and silent

There were no drunken outbursts or muffled sobs to be heard.

Silently she climbed out of her bed, breaking an unspoken promise

And her trembling footsteps echoed in the silence as she went down the stairs

Her eyes roamed the hallway, cast in the soft glow of a nightlamp.

In the dim light, she saw fragments of glass, glinting on the floor..

And her gaze travelled beyond the shattered remains of a wine glass,

Landing on her mother's sleeping form; hands clutching the stem of the glass.

The stem, which was coated a  dark crimson; like the wine pouring out of her mother's bosom.

For all those, who suffer from any form of abuse.