VI

I sit at school surrounded by sorrow

Waiting for school to end.

I want so desperately to be free

180      From this prison-hall-of-knowledge.

I move to lunch, eating none,

To see my fairest friend.

He sits in seat next to mine

Longing to know why.  Why I wasn’t there

185      When he asks I dare not say

For pain shoots through my limb.

Seeing through to my secret scar

He known at once what has occurred.

Though covered wall by shirt and gauze,

190      Jason known of what I have tried.

I rub my wrist gently still

To numb the sudden sting.

He pulls me close to his embrace

Silently whispers help.  He’s been there

195      On the threshold of death.

But knows the better side,

Jason calms me for a time

But nothing good can last.

We part in tears for unspoken pain

200     Fated to meet again.