This is for you: mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin, friend,

Teacher with a grimace:

“Never, she never pays attention in my class.”

“We’re sorry we’ve taken her to see a specialist”

Why?

Because I twitch, twitch, twitch,

And ca—n’t—func—

tio—n?

 

Because I have hands that shake like an old woman with Parkinson’s,

Or because I have eyes that bulge like Jim Carrey's in yes man?

 

Is it because I’m a girl.

And not a lady?

 

Because I can’t wear a dress,

because I can’t sit still,

because

I’m

Pro—blem—

atic.

 

Why?

 

Am I embarrassing?

DO I EMBARRASS YOU WHEN I SHOUT?

MOM, DAD, SISTER, BROTHER, COUSIN, FRIEND,

Every acquaintance

 

Every stare on the street

 

Every look out of every corner out of every eye

every whisper from every mother who's ever said

"Don't stare."

 

Every damned teacher,

and doctor,

and SPECIALIST.

 

Why?

 

“Tell me why the specialist can’t figure her out?”

That's what my teacher said.

 

 

I’ll tell you why,

teacher.

 

Because I’m not fucking

Sp—e—ci—

Al.