Just Ignore Them Poem by Amanda J Harrington

I'm still crossing the playground, years later

Hoping for invisibility

Knowing the football

Already sails



The classroom breathes around me, heaving

Full of raised voices

Calling to each other

Until it's my turn



I know the long path, quick steps take me

Head bowed, face

Empty and blank

Safe in nothing



Mostly, I walk the long stairs to the top

Reaching the place

Where every day

I die a little death



Every moment burned forever,

Engraved by fire

In a piece of me

That won't die