You Can

You can't tell your teachers that the reason you didn't write your essay,

is because your hands were clutched around that cold porcelain bowl-

throat filled with acid, 

your fingers shaking and white, 

unable to even dare to type.

You can't tell your teachers that the reason you were falling asleep in class,

is because you were too afraid to shut your eyes last night-

terrified that those monsters who yell and scream in your home,

would charge at you again unprovoked.

You can't tell your teachers that the reason you won't speak in front of the class,

is because when you do you can't breathe-

your face fills with blood, 

and your heart insistently thuds.

You can't even remember when speaking just one word,

became harder than forever holding your tongue.

But what you can do is crumble like dust,

crash like glass,

and fall like rain.

No explanation required for being afraid.

You can be raw and real,

even if you can't be at school.