Shattering - By Kaitlyn Kim (10th grade)

Please... don’t...

She begged

For Ms. Hansen to not say her name

To not emphasize

Each

Syllable

Shattering the internal rhythm of mind

That makes of itself unheard music

That makes of itself a softer pressure

Please... I failed...

Please... don’t...

He begged

For his mom to not disappear

To not become one with a

Grainy

Blurry figure

Chugging toxic liquid freely sold

Freely promoted, pushed, encouraged

Eating away all souls surrounding, quietly until death

Please...

They begged

For any morsel of edible comfort

Please... We are cold

And the frailty of others’ peace

Became a fear of touch

A fear that halted help

And the chance of hearing

For we all fear our shattering