Dawn Breaking

• Alexandra Leitch, Grade 6
• Poetry
• 2012

Dawn breaking. Everyone lies sleeping,
Not me. Poverty is my harsh burden.
Can this be the only way to break free?
Footfall silent, heart thudding, breath rapid
Time against me, tick, tick, tick, light my foe.
The first bedroom is in the corridor.
My hand, her mouth, a scream that's never heard.
Ice cold blade, burns my skin, drawn from her breast.
Alarmed eyes, wide with terror, life fading.
Room to room, trance-like, actions repeated.
Covered in their blood, reality dawns.
What have I done? A price for someone's life?
They are worth so much more, there is no price.
The money doesn't matter anymore.