The attention span of a teenager is no more than 20 minutes But

I sit in my 90 minute English class

Sitting in my bland grey, uncomfortable chair

I hear my teacher say

“Your assignment is a book report my children”

Exciting…

 

I eyed the clock, twirling my school bus yellow person

But then I hear my teacher speak the words

Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan

My ears perk up and I listen

It was exciting.

 

I read in tears

I read the suffering and hatred

I read the struggles of those with mental illness

I understood the cruelty of the world

I think, everyone must take a stand!

Everyone must fight!

For those with mental illness are seen as hostile

But they need help

 

Over the past year

My views have changed

I will now take a stand

And help those who need to be helped

A bystander

Do not be one

It is not exciting. No it is not.