I.
I began my year
telling people
I was a boy.
It was a good
beginning.

II.
Got so sick
I left school
could barely talk
without panicking
or doubling over
in pain.

III.
Spent so much time
at the hospital -
my mother's been
diagnosed with
cancer.

IV.
He's here now.
I'm happy with him
even if he makes
things harder
on me.

V.
Beginning
another three hundred and some days
with people
I would go into
gunfire for
unasked.

VI.
This year will be better.

VII.
It can't possibly
by worse.