“I know most of you don’t want to be here.” 

You’re right, teacher. 

I don’t want to be here. 

But I want to learn. 

I just hate going home 

With a black eye and bleeding lip 

Every single day. 

“You have time do your homework, you’re just lazy.” 

No, teacher. 

I want to do my homework. 

I do. 

But it’s hard to concentrate 

While things are thrown at me. 

While I hide in my closet, crying. 

“Stop falling asleep in my class, it’s disrespectful.” 

I’m sorry, teacher. 

I never want to make you mad. 

I try my hardest 

Each and every day. 

But it’s hard to get any sleep 

When the screaming pierces through my door every night. 

“If you want to go on the field trip, bring the money by Friday.” 

I’ve always wanted to go on a field trip, teacher. 

It has been one of my dreams. 

But I can’t steal that money from someone. 

That would be the only way. 

So instead, I’ll just stay here. 

Like always, all alone. 

“Eat a healthy breakfast tomorrow before the big test.” 

I wish I could, teacher. 

I would love to eat a big breakfast 

All of that delicious food. 

But instead, I try not to focus  

On the hunger pains 

That plague me every day. 

“You have no excuse not to be on time for school every day.” 

I do though, teacher.  

I do. 

Sometimes I can’t bring myself  

To go through my neighborhood 

With all of the horrors surrounding me. 

It’s scary to walk through that violence all alone. 

“It’s sad how many drug abusers with no future are at this school.” 

I wish I wasn’t like that, teacher. 

I wish I wasn’t one of them. 

But it’s my only escape. 

My only way out. 

It’s all I know, all I can do. 

I can’t be in this world all day. 

“I’m going to fail you if you don’t try in my class.” 

But, teacher. 

I am trying. 

Everything is spinning in my head. 

I can’t concentrate 

I can’t think. 

I don’t know what is wrong with me… 

“Please help me, teacher.”