why does she have to do it alone

alone

with nothing but a pen and paper

why

why must she brave it alone

with no one there, no one to save her

scars, inflamed 

inflamed 

on her arm

red, red, red

she’s been done harm

and alone in a wooden

house creaking, stumbling, made to be sullen

smile more, but she frowns

laugh more, but she’s down 

and doesn’t have a soul to help her carry

the load that she’s been charged precariously 

all alone

with her pen and paper 

that no one gave her

that she bought, alone, at a store down the block

and ran quickly home with it tucked in her sock

to be alone

because alone is better

with a pen and paper

otherwise, she’ll be caught and hung

for treason.