I hate numbers
They go on forever
Stuck in their loop
I
Feel
Like
A number…
On a spreadsheet
No
Meaning
Just.
There.
Numbers
They’re overwhelming
When it comes to money, too little isn’t enough
For the big bills
Up ahead
Financial weight
Another 10,000 pounds added
On
My
Back
Numbers
The school system is like
An animal lab
With each student
With their own numbers
All of our worth
Based
On
Numbers
But I am more than digits
More than data.
I’m here.
I wrote "Just a Number" because I've often felt overwhelmed by how much of my life is measured through numbers, grades, money, tests, and expectations that never seem to end. The inspiration came from moments where I felt reduced to data instead of seen as a real person. While writing, I focused on spacing, line breaks, and repetition to show the heaviness and frustration that come with feeling defined by digits. The structure is initially broken and uneven, almost like the words themselves are collapsing under pressure, which reflects the emotional weight behind the poem.The poem explores identity, stress, and the pressure to live up to numerical standards in school and in life. I was influenced by free-verse poets who play with form and layout because their style makes emotion feel physical on the page. My goal was to express that even though numbers surround us and sometimes feel inescapable, they don't define who we are.
Elizabeth Oliva is a dedicated high school senior with a passion for global health and patient care. Over the last three years, she has gained valuable experience working at Texas Children’s Hospital with Guest Services, where her compassion and commitment to healthcare has flourished. Her international experiences in Korea and Peru have deepened her understanding of diverse cultures and fueled her aspiration to make a meaningful impact around the world. Elizabeth is driven by a strong desire to become a nurse practitioner, aiming to combine clinical skills with her global perspective to bring care and healing underserved communities globally.