I hurt

like baby hurt

as in

I need mother’s milk,

Daddy’s shoulder.

The rest of the world

looks at me,

aghast.

Can someone shut up that baby

or toddler?

I am the little girl

weeping in the closet

because I couldn’t tie my shoes

or lock the door.

I hold it all in

like everyone told me to do.

There are more important things

to weep about.

Have you not learned your lesson,

baby girl?

Learn what hurt means.