I can’t tell my teacher

A whole lot of shit

I think about it all day long and                I’d never say it

 

I can’t tell my teacher

his class makes me feel safe

or his lectures are powerful                      but

his words, full of  wisdom,

offer a warm embrace

 

I can’t tell my teacher

That I don’t want to go home

the environment there

is cold and toxic,                                 I feel so alone

 

I can’t tell my teacher

that he’s the first to believe

the first person to encourage

the first person who wants

to see me succeed

 

I can’t tell my teacher

the bruises aren’t really from falling

but from the hitting and kicking

my dad does when he is drunk and

I’m on the floor crying and crawling

 

I can’t tell my teacher

It’s because he acknowledged

I am smart and capable of great things

that I am going to college

 

I can’t tell my teacher

a whole lot of shit

but I’m going to do

something with my life

and I’m damn proud of it