"My Walk to School" by Andrea Wilson
Reprinted with Permission

Fist punch.
Foot crunch.
Hand hit.
Mouth spit.
Eye swells.
Can't see.
Please,
Please,
Let me be.
Rips my homework.
Steals my money.
Grabs my lunch.
Thinks it's funny.

I won't tell, I swear I won't.
Please don't do that. I said "Don't!"

Sticks and stones may break my bones . . .
Sissy-Prissy-Four-eyes-Geek-Fatso-Schizo-Nerdy
Freak
. . . but names can really hurt.
Through the doors.
Up the stairs.
Face is bloody.
No one cares.
In the washroom.
Clean up the mess.
I'll be safe
Until . . . recess.