Homework

Teacher, I didn't do my homework
I'm sorry it was cast aside
When my sister came home crying
About a shadow on the street
That mirrored her too closely
And taught her what it felt like
To be the white mouse you keep in the cage for experiments
Powerless.

I didn't do my homework
I'm sorry it was pushed away
When my father started yelling
About all he does, all his blood
Sweat
and tears
It's for us.
For our own good.
And we should be more appreciative
Of the bruises on our sides and the scratches on our cheeks.

I didn't do my homework.
I'm sorry it was forgotten
When fireworks split the air
And our window.
And a lost star covered in silver
Ran to hug my brother
And left a red mark
The kind that doesn't go out

I didn’t do my homework
I'm sorry it was left alone
When someone barged through our door
And taught the door to fly free from its hinges, its captors
(I wish he would teach me.)
And held up a gun
And let loose shooting stars.
(They had to be stars, nothing else can fly so fast)

I didn't do my homework
I didn't catch a star like my brother
I didn't do anything
I wish I did.

But Teacher,

I will do my homework

Because someone taught me
That doors aren't the only things that can be free
And that broken glass doesn't mean a broken girl
And a red check is more than a mark
It is a step away from the shooting stars I've seen
And closer to the shooting stars my friends have seen
The ones that carry whispered wishes
That I can make come true
If I do my homework

And I will.