I

When I scan the hallways of my remembrance,

I see the quiet existence of a shy five-year-old.

She is sitting under an old rusty swing in her school courtyard.

Her pockets filled with autumn leaves because she is sad over how no one ever picks them up... unless it is for crushing.

The last guy who sat on the swing split his head open.

Lesson on mortality
"I'll remember"

II

After feeding a stray cat for a whole month,
I stopped after someone said she loved me because of the food.

A testament to our unconditional love.

When she showed up the next day, she scratched my face and left.

"But I deserve love more than she deserves to eat" I thought.

Lesson on love.

"I'll never learn."

Teach me how to feel
But teach me to feel no pain
Show me how to love
But help me to not lose my name
Help me to understand
How to live in a world
That never believed in me

within my four walls i stay
escaping the yelling
feeling hunted like prey.