Penn State Altoona's Literary and Visual Arts Journal

You’re Safe Here by Madeline DeLuca

Did I see you crying tonight
at the circus, when those bears
with hats on their little brown heads
stood up on their stools,
and the crowd went crazy, buttery
popcorn spilling from their mouths like
water falls? Did every heartbeat
leading up to tonight–all of the times
you were walking outside, walking at night,
walking in fear of a man’s shadow–
did all of those heart beats collect
in your throat just then? You know,
you had nothing to be afraid of. You’re
safe here–see those locks on the gate?
But there you were, sinking down in your seat
as nice men with whips struck bears
with hats on their little brown heads.
Sinking down in your seat like a child.
And why? Everyone was having
such a great time.

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