Why I Didn't Feel Safe In English Class

[Angela Stripes]

Even though I love to write
And studying words on a page,
Both ancient
And printed in 2010,
Brings a fresh new world to my eyes
I have never smelled before,
She stands
At her desk.

I can’t remember the first time
She said it.
Or how many times
Lucerllo or Sean agreed
Even Derp didn’t argue
They felt safe in her class.

One lesbian, one gay, two bisexual,
Two masqueraders (chameleons, really),
One leader, two trouble makers,
one who just didn’t care,
And then me,
Who did care
And laughed with them
And prayed for them
And hugged tightly
And listened
as they confided
And every day
wept
Because my own world was falling
apart.

I wanted to study this art
Of expression
With a white paper mask
To hide behind.
As all the things inside
That choke tears from my eyes
Boldly declared
On the other side
Became something to study
For the audience
And yet
She hunts me
Because I believe in Jesus.
The only rock I cling to
in the chaos of the hurricane.

Her face twisted
When I challenged her lie,
How smooth it was,
A bowl of chocolate pudding
Nudged out for the class to try,
But I
Knew it would rot
them inside
Like sushi,
Served a day or three
Too late,
Makes the consumer
Regret indulgence.