Writing

They taught us not to be loud

when something hurt.

To swallow the ache

like it was rude to mention.

We learned how to nod

while breaking.

How to laugh

with our ribs caving in.

I turned heat creeping up onto my face “for what?” I said gruffly 

Kael grinned “yeah why should we?” 

She turned to Elias “you didn’t tell them?” 

He shrugged “you never said when”

They all looked at each other Iker was getting cocky for her discovery. 

Ezra packed her spray paints already, and her black gloves had teal and pink stains. 

Everyone's playing Christmas music

Christmas movies

break is in two weeks

we're already preparing our favorite meals.

And I'm lost.

Not good lost,

not lost in the holiday cheer -

I'm just depressed.

There is five syllab

els in this haiku yup yup

Seven in the last

“I hate you” Neo choked “mother should too. But she doesn’t” he gasped for air. Unable to breathe “I don’t understand that” 

His father looked down “because she knows—“