ready to learn

you face the day at school

learning

you go home and see a family you don't know anymore

but you don't mind

learning

you lock your door as weak as your spirit

you can't do your geometry homework  because you can't hear yourself think

learning

you wake up at 3:00 in the morning

the yelling never stops

learning

you wish your mom would leave her abusive boyfriend

at least for her children

learning

you go to school and you don't know what Andrew Jackson did or when Joseph Stalin began his reign

you fail both quizzes

learning

that's not the only thing you fail at

you fail at keeping your brother and sister safe

learning

he hits your mom and pulls her hair

but don't forget that algebra quiz

learning

when will people learn that there is more to worry about

than how to say "How is your day in spanish"

and here you are in senior year

the boyfriend is gone and you live with your grandparents

but the pain is still there

and it will never leave

but you're sure great at pre-calculus

learning