patchwork child

genius

pens and paper
pencils scratching
keyboard clacking
kids chatting

pressure weighing in
smothering me, suffocating
indignation, vexation
anxious amalgam

told it's for my good
told to toughen up
told to try my best
told i'm intelligent

tragedy of the genius
punched in the gut
beaten breathless
with no words to speak

stupid system
grooming addicts
kids hooked on praise
petty based validation

i'll hurl words at bricks
if only in my head
fear striking edifice
draining me completely