Cigarette butts
no longer linger
concrete, but
I swear the cloud
of smoke lingers,
the sweat of adolescent
anxiety – the suffocating
pressure to comply –
Names escape,
but I remember
smugness and
rivalry, and
the spine-crawling fear
of confrontation,
and indisputable
in my mind
are the scars
of being so alone.
(Written for Twenty Four’s 50 word Thursday prompt. Image supplied by Deb Whittam.)
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This is wonderful. Your poetry always moves me in some way. 💕
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Christine, that is so nice of you to say.
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It’s true V.J. My teenage years and all those adolescent feelings came rushing back when I read this poem.
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Have to admit mine did too when writing it.
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sweat of adolescent
anxiety – this is what i call a totally wow phrase – trying to fit in can be such a difficult time
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Thanks Gina. I still remember it – course I spent years as a high school teacher too.
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i was a nervous teenager – everything was so overwhelming. so that sweat was not just from the equatorial heat! nice to know your background is in teaching.
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I have few good memories of high school, but it was the first time I was noticed as the creative type. I was even invited to attend a week-end, drawing workshop when I was fourteen. But even that was marred by tornado winds hitting the university residence while I was there. Interesting to hear that you were a teacher. I was also, but part-time. Still it gave me a decent pension for my retired years.
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I was pulled into drama in high school (the stage) which helped me. High school was socially tough. It’s why I became a teacher. I wanted to make a difference for kids like me.
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That is so invocative, it just resonates with the emotions of exclusion. Love it 😊
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Thanks Deb. I wonder if we all felt it?
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I think that’s highly likely. I think we all feel vunerable at school, you begin to judge yourself against others and there’s that tendancy to find yourself wanting as a result.
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