rite of passage
CONTENT WARNING: This content contains or explores content that touches on any of the following topics: abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal); aspects of psychology and mental health and contains depictions of self harm, substance abuse, eating disorders, or suicide; swears or curses; hurtful or hateful language; discrimination (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender orientation); aspects of pregnancy; blood, violence, assault, kidnapping, trauma, or dying. Please read or view with care.
Semi J.
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Not long after the Apalachee High School Shooting in September, I was sitting in my calculus class at school, daydreaming about everything but calculus, when I began to think about what I might do if an active shooter appeared on our own campus. From planning escape routes to mapping out the fastest way to get to my twin sister’s classroom, it was a train of thought that kept me distracted and engrossed. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but marvel at how eerie it all was. It almost felt like we would only ever stop worrying about a school shooting after one passed. The seemingly inevitable nature of this horrifying event led me to give this piece its title. I scribbled the italicized parts of this poem in my class notebook, then finished the rest of it upon returning home.
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To me, creativity is what lies at the heart of the pieces I write. My words reflect who I am as a person and capture the life that I’ve lived so far in a way that no one else can.