Fitful Rest (Screaming Desserts) Poem by Elizabeth Sheaffer

Put on them running shoes
Get out of Dodge before the riots start
Burn you at the stake
Find the highest tree
'Johnny, did ya bring the rope? '
'Yessir, got it right here! '
'Momma, I don't want to go to school;
Five more minutes, please! '
'Your Daddy was a bastard
And your Momma's a whore.'
'Please don't hit me, massa,
I'll pick yo cotton.'
Who am I and why am I here?
What shall I become?
Why am I being pulled in hundreds of directions?
Past, present, future, all are blurred
And sprinkled with fictitious events
Like a birthday cake for a five year old
But they were too poor to buy shoes
He saw the shop window
Walked in and stole it
Who would suspect a five year old?
'Five more minutes, please! '
Cookies floating through the air
Of different shapes and sizes
Take a bite and hear them scream
Bleeding milk upon the ground
Vegetables attack
All the ones you hate
Huge fangs sink into your neck
Sucking out your life force
This ain't no Bunnicula
'Open your books to page 13
And read to page 11.'
'But, Teacher Lady, ain't that backwards? '
'You will respect my authority! '
'Momma I don't wanna go to school!
Five more minutes please! '