What do I tell my daughter
When a teacher
Believes her classmate
And not her?

What do I tell my daughter
When the “new girl” she befriended
And welcomed to her school
Drops her
To hang with the “cool girl” clique?

What do I tell my daughter
When she is exhausted
From staying strong
In the face of daily
Bullying and teasing?

What do I tell my daughter
When adults
Don’t keep their promises
And don’t walk their talk?

What do I tell my daughter
When she feels nobody around her
Is who she thought they were?

What do I tell my daughter
When she cries
That her voice
Isn’t heard?

I tell her nothing.

I ask questions;
I listen;
I hold her until she stops sobbing.

I drink in the story of her heart
Until her voice and my voice
Become our voice.

Our words are for the ears of those who my daughter trusted.

Our words will paint the story of her heart.

Our voice will be heard.