Vulnerable

At school

we're doing a poetry unit.

"Oh cool, we write poetry all the time!"

My friend says.

What we didn't realize, though,

was that the teacher turned on the tap

to our inner selves

and let it flow out

onto paper,

documents online,

until we were

empty

hollow

dry.

My poetry doesn't come out right

at school

and why would we feel

comfortable

in such a hostile environment?

Even the teachers hate our classmates.

Why

should we express our

deepest selves

in an unsafe environment?

Everything goes wrong at school

when I'm vulnerable.

Calico Frost

VT

13 years old

More by Calico Frost

  • Ashes

    No one died

    right?

    I wasn't affected

    but I am affected.

    I know them

    their situation

    we're good friends

    but why is all of this happening in my lifetime?

    In our lifetimes?

  • I don't know

    I find at night

    I am haunted by thoughts.

    Simpler things, like

    Math assignment due tomorrow, can I finish it by then?

    or

    Did I really turn in the essay or not? I don't remember...

  • The Bird

    I am the bird that everyone knows.

    Never sees, only feels my presence.

    Visible in your mind, noticeable in your heart.

    My wingtips are dashed with anxiety,

    my tail feathers streaked with frustration and loss.