September 2012 

 sequin high tops and a denim skirt 

 kissed me goodbye

 kindergarten teacher

 best friend at naptime

learned to spell 

play with blocks 

Went in with a smile everyday

 Open  locker 

Learn about history 

Ran the mile

No assigned lunch table 

old friend doesnt talk anymore

wandered the cafeteria 

someone called my name 

Sat with my new friends all the way to 8th 

2 weeks off 

it all came crumbling down

 lost  friends 

except for one 

Clung to  one friend

started high school together 

itchy masks 

laughed at lunch

 divided by plexiglass

told each other secrets 

walked the halls together 

 made new friends 

missed texts 

 canceled plans 

Seat at lunch taken

Alone 

skipping lunch 

white walls 

Less learning more homework 

Skipping school

Slipping away 

going numb 

days blur

Nothing mattered 

 couldn't leave house 

Anxious 

Crawling skin

Hate myself 

Hide in room 

special school 

School or prison?

kids screamed and fought 

Need to be escorted to bathroom

Teacher waits outside

Clawed at those walls

Bus at 6AM 

Sit for the 2 hour ride 

Stare out the window

Listen to the radio 

Stop after stop 

Town after town 

Always on that bus 

Crawled back to reality

Reality wasnt much better 

Get to public school 

once best friend 

No hello

Whispers and stared 

Walk around alone 

Pick a partner 

Stomach churns and face burns 

Cap and gown 

What now?