Midnight

I hold my head in my hands and I let my thoughts chew away at my spirit

Click click click

My fingers fly on the keyboard

The work is never done

I’m unimportant

11

10

I get home from work, reeking of unappreciation

Because I am young, small, replaceable.

Verbal abuse from those “above me” penetrates my thick skin

And attaches itself to my spirit.

I’m unimportant

9

Flip the burger

8

I said no pickles

7

Do you understand English, stupid?

6

No mustard,

That’s important

5

4

My head throbs as it struggles to expand beyond its tangible borders

I must remember everything

That’s important

3

2

I sit in the underfunded music room

And let my fingers dance on the instruments

What had once stitched itself to my soul the day before

Releases its grip

But music, and art, and a free soul

Isn’t on the SAT

The ACT

The Common App

There’s no need for art

It’s unimportant

1

12

11

I stand zombified in front of a vending machine

Searching for whatever I can eat the fastest

I need time to study

Because a test tomorrow is my self-worth for the year

It’s important

10

9

8

I slump at my desk

Pressing coffee against my lip

The stress of yesterday still clings to my soul

But that’s not important

7

6

5

My eyes open to the sound of my alarm

And I want nothing more than to sink into my bed

But maybe today

I’ll be important.