maelynslavik

in the halls, we lean against the bulletin boards

and whisper of the latest news, last night's breaking, articles snagged

in the moments before leaving for school. lots of adults

think we are too young to understand

Catching fireflies

In my palms

Catching snowflakes

On my tongue

Throwing wishes

To the sky

On the wings

Of dandelions

Dreaming

With my head

In the clouds

Begging to stay

They tell me I can trust them with anything.

They tell me not to hide.

They tell me that they won't tell anyone.

But...

They never think about why I can't trust them.

They never think about why I hide.

Everyone could make excuses

for when the bears showed up late

to the party

fashionably late

they called it

but when the bears came early

no one

could explain the questions

away.

They're obsessed with social media and two-second dating

we talk about climate change and ski racing

they'll talk about what they're supposed to

we'll talk about the world's problems and what to do

My father texted me on Valentine's day 

Three years ago I would've responded

But this year I asked who it was

I had deleted his contact 

I don't regret it 

Because my dad died years ago