Wordsworth

"Never let someone else determine your worth,"

said my dad in the hollow cradle of a leather couch.

I pass in the assignment that had seen the sunrises and sunsets of the week before.

Catharsis

was the topic.

"Write about a truly transformative event in your life," 

said my teacher in the tunnel of a classroom,

his voice competing against the bell

Ringing

Wringing 

"Superficial,"

my teacher haphazardly scribbled at the close of my paper.

"You deserve better,"

my ex-boyfriend whispered in the frigid front seat of his car.

Personally

I prefer to command "Speak!" to my dog who refuses to learn tricks.