Stand Poem by Jade Howser

If life was an ocean, I would be drowning
Outside I'm smiling, inside I'm dying
I'm a rat in a cage full of pent-up rage
I'm just a broken puppet on a black, dead stage

The scars on my body tell about my story
The scars in my heart, well, that tale's too gorey
My eyes can't see what my heart has felt
I'm forced to fight my way through with dirt-filled nails

They say not to bite the hand that feeds
Well it's that very hand that tries to kill me
But despite all the painful things that people say
I never give up, I always find a way

I may not see a thing, but I know I'm not completely blind
Once we leave these halls, our legacies stay behind
Just know that my life has yet to end
I promise I'm okay, I just need room to stand