The Kind Stranger Inside by Gabriella Ann Benedetti

The Kind Stranger Inside

mom said no one was coming to save me

when the kindest stranger walked over

reached out her hand with a gentle hi

said i reminded her of her younger self

offered me a hug and the measure of help

i could have never asked for on my own

the warmest invitation to frozen time

i stood outside of her door

knocking and pleading and crying

i could hear my phone calls ringing

as i begged for the person inside

to open the door for my shell outside

i had been there before but not like this

realizing the person i thought i knew

all this time was never actually home

her silence louder than the dogs barking

i had not been there before

she was inside but i was always outside

no one was coming to save me

i picked up my shell off the ground

whispered a gentle goodbye to the very

real person behind her locked door

mom always told me to be extra careful

of the kind stranger who just wants to help