tock tick
The diploma is handed back to the principal,
I walk backwards into my seat.
I celebrate my 17th birthday before I celebrate my 16th.
Tock, tick. Tock, tick.
My teacher hands me the grade before I've taken the test.
I am in the 8th grade.
I am given class vice president before the campaign.
I walk backwards,
and backwards,
and backwards,
until it is 5th grade and everyone was ignoring me;
until it is 4th grade and I was framed for everything because I am an easy target;
until it is 3rd grade and they stepped on my hands after pushing me onto the ground.
I move backwards until the first moment I showed weakness,
and I change it.