April 22 Only

An only child,
the only one
to hear
angry words sparking
through night air,
falling as dust
behind the couch.

Only the child
remembers, tries
to make sense
of the jagged words,
still glowing in her mind.
Could she be sure
they were really screamed:
the accusations,
declarations of despair?

Under the couch,
she finds only
gum wrappers
and a forgotten doll.