Sitting in a classroom at

7:06

watching ‘Girlfight,’

some movie about a girl finding 

who she is. 

Our teacher screaming 

to find our individuality and

find ourselves.

The class nodding vigorously

all wanting to be

someone at

7:09.

I sit

front row third desk 

nodding along, 

doing what they all are.

She says, ‘school does not 

define you’ and I freeze:

how dare she go against

my very person;

all I’ve got are my grades.

I can sit and 

subserviently obey

at 7:12 

and go home to my mom

doing the same. 

I can apply to "stuff”

to add to who I am,

colloquially known as a resume, 

and never get it but 

hey! at least I tried. 

Until that’s not enough,

just trying and studying

and adding more “stuff.”

My thoughts start

spiraling at

7:15 

wondering if I even am.

I take a deep breath for 

5

hold it for 

4

exhale for 

3 

blink for 

2

focus in

1 

and I’m back to nodding 

and pretending 

I am a somebody

just like the rest.

7:18

the bell rings and I walk out

to go back to 

sitting in a classroom.