Free Poem by Abbie Jensen

I used to raise my hand in every class,
Prepared to answer whatever the teacher asked.
I used to sit with my back straight, eyes forward
Staring at the writing on the chalkboard.
I used to smile at every face I could face
To turn that sad face into a happy face so it could be a proud face.
I used to sit with the loners at lunch,
Making them into a bunch.

Then they came.
They came and things aren't the same
Now I never raise my hand in class,
Telling myself that I can't.
Now I sit with my back hunched eyes down,
Looking at my bird on Flappy Bird go up and down.
Now if I see a sad face,
I let it be a sad face in fear of what other faces will think of my face.
Now I sit with my own bunch,
And let the loners sit alone at lunch.

They came and changed everything,
Now everything revolves around what they think.
No one gets opinions or options,
It's where they put you and that's your option.
They rule everyone no one can escape,
You can only make the best of what little they give.

I don't want this anymore,
I don't want them to control me no more.
I wanna be the first bird that leaves the nest
And be different than the rest
I wanna be the rose in a dandelion field,
The green tree in winter.
I wanna be ME.
Not who everyone says I have to be.

I don't need them always in my head,
Telling me to wear yellow and red.
I don't need them to direct my life.
I need them to stick their head in the ground
And I need them to boss the worms around.

I want to raise my hand in class
Cause the answer is always pounding. In. My. Head.
I want to put Flappy Bird away and help my future
I want to see sad faces turn into happy faces.
I want to sit with everyone at lunch.

They don't control me,
I'm free.