Fifteen-fifths

by Emily Grider

I sit and read quietly
But my mind wanders

What did I just read?
Can't remember

Read it over and over
Nothing registers

Sleep creeps silently
My vision blurs,
My head falls
I wake
Again and again

A voice.
I bolt upright

A murmur ensues
Velcro and zippers,
whispers and giggles.

Books away, journals out.
What is it today?

I write on the usual.
Lost love, you ask?
No.
Try love never attained.

Oh well.
Someday, right?

I spill my secrets to this
silent partner in crime
For ten minutes everyday.

It's not helping,
I still need a shrink.

The clock on the wall
is frozen at twelve
Just five more minutes.

My head swarms.
Lunch.
Physics homework.
Marching rehearsal.

Oh, wait it's May.
Marching season's over.
There really is something
wrong with me.

The bell rings.
A mad rush for the door.

Only fifteen days to go.

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