in the 7th grade&

in the 7th grade 

we were two of kind 

two flowers sharing a cinderblock castle

and we poked and we prodded 

and how are you doing today 

and oh, thank you I am well 

we 

   (are flowers)

in the same 

bright 

glorious

   pot 

in the 8th grade

we grew as flowers do 

reminding each other 

to drink our liquid gold 

to grow greener 

truer 

because how 

could we be anything

  other than

     extraordinary 

in the 9th grade 

I

wilted 

my world was gray 

we flowers 

we stay away from the bright sun 

the sun hurts my eyes 

i said 

and as I slunk away

trying in vain to escape the oppressive heat 

she followed me 

followed me down the rabbit hole 

didn't let me run

nursed my burns 

set me down gentle 

you see? you see? i made you a new pot

it is cracked with age 

but I believe

       you

are stronger