Madeline

I am a number.

A total which defines me.

It says whether I am brilliant or remedial,

whether I am present or absent,

whether I ascend or decline.

A statistic amongst the world.

Numbers do not feel.

Numbers do not want to cry or scream.

It's illogical for a number to be anything

but a stagnant symbol.

I cry.

I scream.

I sometimes want nothing more than to quit.

So how am I still a number?