When we were little
They used to call them
Spotted
Orange
Lizards.

I think they were trying not to scare us with
The words
Standards
Of
Learning.

Standardized testing.

Those things that you need Number Two pencils for.

Those things that they prepare you for
Every year
For months.

Those things that if a cell phone goes off
The entire class comes back
During the summer
And retakes it.

Those things that they give you hours and hours
To take,
Out of our normal schedule,
Even though they only take
Forty-five minutes

Those things that don't even count
Towards our grades
Because
"They're really assessing the teachers--
But it's important to do your best."

SOLs.
Those things that people stress over.

Even though your answers
Are only
Tiny gray dots
On a
Scantron sheet.

The time honored
brainstorming
collective planning
a filling blackboard
is now denounced..
storming is thought
thought on thought
wrinkle on wrinkle..
what goes begging
is quantum's leap
a leap waiting
for solitude and
an empty slate...

They lurk into your bedroom at night…
Terrorize and give much fright.
Sometimes they’re evil and wish you pain,
Wreaking havoc so that you’ll never be the same.
You can hear the menacing laughs, cackling throughout the house,
And the unlucky victim of somebody’s spouse.
The ****** comes and the monster is reaching for the ****,
You’re scared to death, but everything around you is still.
Breath is heavy, heart is pounding,
The monsters find you and are now surrounding.
They reach out, trying to touch your skin,
You wake up suddenly, realizing what could have been.
But it was only your dream, my dear,
And you have only your imagination to fear.

That which consumes you,
let it eat you whole.
Open your mind
for it to be devoured,
even if it comes from
the blood in your veins,
paint the picture.
And give yourself away for free,
to be broken by love.
Die by it,
if it's the last thing you ever do.

After a while, the pain starts to subside,
And leaves you with a dull numbness.

However, the feelings never go away.
Your senses are fogged as are your thoughts.

Not knowing which way is up and which is down;
Right from wrong.

But then again, none of that matters.
All you are now is broken

Oh how the heart aches and
Ruptures your whole being.

It's funny how this vital ***** can make
You feel dead even though you sadly keep living.

Hilarious how it effects your soul and body.
Mind is cloudy.

Your thoughts are no more.
You are no more.

Now, you are just your heart-ache.
A painful throbbing inside your chest...

Reminding You Of What Used To Be.

Breathe unto lifeless form
Heartbeats sailing on jagged rocks
Inside is a turbulent storm
Of a cynic who mocks

Oh Joy, that infernal thing
Have no use for it, that devil
Anguish it will always bring
Nay, to it I'll not be civil

Curse it, curse myself
Fleeting smiles untethered
Flight at once with deft
Never lastingly fettered

Price too high, I daresay
Sweetness leaves a sour taste
For the brave willing to pay
Would I do so in haste?