The Bargain

She's drawn to red

like blood, like roses, like chili peppers

She's hungry

for love, for understanding

for the space to see

who she was, who she might become

She dreams deeply, most nights

hoping to avoid the chill of nightmares

the fever of fear

When she awakes and the sun is out

she feels guilty

afraid she is not living up 

to the bargain she made

with the devil or an angel

she's never sure which

The bargain she made

to trade control for security

to trade freedom for family

to compromise, compromise, compromise