power freedom magic beauty intellect - University-Student Union
power freedom magic beauty intellect - University-Student Union
power freedom magic beauty intellect - University-Student Union
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The cycle just keeps going...<br />
I hear two kids argue in the hall<br />
high-pitched middle-school tones<br />
their voices haven’t changed yet<br />
one is throwing insults<br />
the other about to throw punches<br />
zero-to-furious in 2.5 seconds<br />
A security guard bellows<br />
GET IN THE CLASSROOM<br />
the boy pleads his case<br />
but is interrupted<br />
I DON’T CARE, JUST GET TO CLASS<br />
the boy tries again<br />
with the dean who’s come around the corner,<br />
“Did you hear what he said? - He called me a<br />
‘douche!’”<br />
NO! GO!<br />
is the dean’s angry<br />
shouting<br />
response echoing through the hall<br />
I can almost see the boy wilt<br />
for a split second<br />
before he becomes cold and hard<br />
like steel<br />
He has been silenced.<br />
3rd PerIod freeWrIte<br />
I wonder<br />
how many times throughout the day<br />
how many days throughout his life<br />
does this happen to him?<br />
That evening he tries to tell his mom<br />
about what happened<br />
She’s watching her show<br />
and little sister starts to cry<br />
JR. I TOLD YOU TO WATCH HER! YOU NEVER<br />
DO ANYTHING AROUND HERE!<br />
20<br />
by Jenuine<br />
He’s distracted in class<br />
thinkin’ about his pops<br />
who was picked up during an ICE raid<br />
at his job last month<br />
he never got to say, “Goodbye,”<br />
now mom tells him he’s<br />
gotta be the man<br />
his birthday got lost in the shuffle<br />
no one stopped to remember<br />
He’s just turned 13<br />
Teacher catches him drifting<br />
eyes lost out the window<br />
shoulders slumped with responsibility<br />
YOU NEVER PAY ATTENTION, JR.! WHY EVEN<br />
BOTHER COMING? HOW DO YOU THINK YOU’RE<br />
GONNA PASS WHEN YOU CAN’T EVEN ANSWER A<br />
SIMPLE QUESTION!<br />
the numbers on the board go blurry<br />
it all just hurts so bad<br />
he works the muscles in his jaw<br />
to keep the tears at bay<br />
there’s a lump in his throat<br />
just for a moment<br />
before he goes cold and hard<br />
like steel<br />
“Man, fuck you!”<br />
WHAT DID YOU SAY? YOU KNOW WHAT, JUST<br />
GO. I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS; HERE’S A<br />
REFERRAL. GO TO THE OFFICE!<br />
teacher roars<br />
Teacher’s got another curriculum<br />
this boy’s already memorized:<br />
I’m stupid<br />
I’m lazy<br />
I’ll never graduate<br />
What’s the point of trying<br />
Maybe I’ll just be the screw-up they already<br />
think I am
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