The poet as a little girl, about 1968, in Ocean City, New Jersey.

She remembers hiding in the closet

Afraid to come out for her punishment

Of nothing, really, to be punished for –

Curious, playful, childlike with open eyes

Rather than the closed ones you tried with all your might

To force on her.

And now you come at her again

In the guise of another

In this Sunday of waiting until Monday

When she must face her punishment

For simply trying her best and somehow

Not compensating for your lack.

Please don’t hurt this little girl

Again.