The kid's teeth crumbling
was inaudible
beneath his screams.
I didn't notice the blood
until
an adult ripped me off of him,
like a sticker that
you no longer want
on your blue folder
because it got ruined after
getting soaked by the rain.
I didn't realize
I wasn't afraid of
the consequences
until
I was sitting in front of
the principal
with an absolute peace
that coated my insides.
I didn't acknowledge that
I was insane
until
the counselor studied me
with an unreadable expression
that contained
horror, confusion, and sympathy.
I didn't know
I would become something worse.
I didn't know
that was only the beginning.
