Thinkin’ ’bout this rage that I foster-
-care has the last of my youth going fast, take a blast to the past, but my past is a monster.
Maskin’ the gashes and scratches, my back is broken and crackin’ so why even bother?
Drastic and tragic, my past is disastrous and lasting as long as this world that I conquer.
A bastard that’s mastered, speakin’ faster and capturin’ magic,
Yakkin and spewin’ acid like a mocca-
-sin in my past comin’ back as I pop a
cap in the back of the chatter, the pratter, and laughter.
Get sadder and madder the more that I’m taunted.
By fascists who attacked and then battered and bashed in my body
cuz they lacked what they were after and wanted.
Polyps on the back of my tonsils
As light fades to black on the back of my concert.
A hater attacks in the back by my locker.
Tryna bring me down, what a shocker.
Insults flyin’ as they lauch ’em.
Dreams and nightmares, hatred haunts ’em.
I already got too much trauma
I don’t need much more of the drama
A continuous mantra
Trynna charm my black mamba
Got a damn deadbeat “Papa,”
A drug addict Mama,
Had to change my name,
Can't answer “¿Como se llama?”
Therapists think they’ll be my snake charmers
Growin’ up fast but still treated like a toddler.
I just wanna B-18, fly away like a bomber.
Don’t know if I’ll get there but I gotta fight longer
Hasn’t killed me yet but I don’t feel any stronger
Scholastic Award Winner
Honorable Mention in Poetry (for “Therapy,” published in the 36th edition of The Riverbend Review)
“Sean’s honesty is at the core of his writing. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and while this has caused him a lot of pain, it has a lasting impression in the minds of his readers.”
— Rebecca Cavalier, faculty sponsor