Wash It Away

He stands under the falling water head cocked back absorbing it all in a dark tiled unlit shower he is washing it away

emotions swirl down the drain he imagines the abuse washing away going down the drain and hopefully the memory as well swirling memories are strenuously scrubbed

a little boy standing alone within a darkened tile shower stall hoping the water will cleanse him the softened wrinkled young skin is wet his short outstretched hands await the water as if his naked body is an offering his young back is arched to absorb all the water he can cling to tuft of short brown hair is matted dripping water going down towards the drain mixed with salty tears of shame

he whispers his prayer “wash it away, wash it away, wash it away”