The same clothes as the day before,
Dirt stains on my neck,
Hair, a mess
Homework not done.
I remember, walking fast to school,
I was late, over slept.
I was 10, maybe.
And very tired and hungry.
Sad really, the night before,
I was up till 3am-4am.
Defending my being,
Failing to protect my innocence.
Disheveled, disoriented, vacant.
I get pulled out of class.
My second year in 3rd grade.
Asking me if things were ok,
At home.
My one chance,
Only chance to escape.
I froze, I said, “yes”
I missed a lot of school.
But everything was fine.
I’d tell myself, its normal.
All kids go through this.
This hell, my war at home.
Its normal!
By: Carrie Labiak
An Emotional Writer, With Hope at the End of the Sentence! 