Fish on a line (poem)

I wrote this poem in high school. It is about the painful topic of domestic violence.

All copyright remains with the author. No use of any kind is permitted without express written permission from Melanie Heard.

Fish on a line

From the place beyond the tangerine sky he came.

There were footsteps behind her.

You’ll keep your big flapper shut after this.

No tramp is gonna laugh at me.

Like a fish on a line, she was.

The rims of his eyes were red with the sun’s glare.

He wore high-heeled boots and spurs.

His ear heard more than was ever said to him.

His face contorted.

She backed up until she was against the wall.

Too frightened to defend herself…

You said you wouldn’t hurt me again.

Then, it was later.

And the red river flowed…

He pointed with his right arm.

Remember what I told you?

I ain’t gonna say a word.

Like a fish on a line.

Never mind, Never mind.

Was whispered in a little night breeze.