coercion

the constant warning reminders from her parents weighs down on the girl.
she moves slowly,
taking care to take each and every bead in her small palms,
willing them to stay with her.
"move it girl. time's up."
a harsh command,
a forceful push,
loosen fingers--
lost possessions.
her lips quiver,
teeth clamps down on lips,
she cries
 
i cry.
i thought i could keep them,
the very least of my many wishes;
"how childish": so they say.
a month of vacation for a loss of memory--
such unfair 'trade'..
 
she starts forward,
clutching on the remaining few in her palm,
ones that she's allowed to keep