2:36 Faith Dunham

It’s 2:36 The only time I have the freedom to think As I please in a world Who sees me as nothing more Than having to be perfect From the way I sit, to the way I talk, to how I plan my day, to the friends I make Society is nothing more than people telling me how to live my life When they don't even know if it's right

In this game of chess called society When life gets too hard The Kings, who we know as politicians, CEOs, and influencers, can retreat While the pawns known as us cannot.

Well look at me I made a mistake I moved the wrong pieces In this game of chess And this ache in my chest leaves me awake Which is why I’m out at 2:36 Looking at the night sky as an escape From the past mistakes and the past memories that hold me close Keeping me awake to think, think, and think again About what I could have fixed

The only freedom I have is in the dark distorted deep night sky As it hides all the scars That we try so hard to hide

Some find their worst nightmares Just hiding in the sky But all I see is an escape from the world That just shoves me aside Society doesn’t care about me Until I'm too blindsided from the truth too care

The only time society worries Is when their reputation is ignored From those who don’t care to fit in or wear a gold star It hits them in the chest When they realize not everyone’s a pawn That wants to play in their sick game of chess Well Checkmate Because we’re tired of hiding in the dark But I’m out of moves In this game of chess

It’s 2:36 the whole world is asleep except For those who found a way to break free From the criticizing, the mockery, and the scrutiny

We’re so tired can’t they see The blackness under my eyes from the nights I stay awake As I run to get away From the game of chess That I'm so mindlessly Losing at

Can’t they see? Why aren't they looking? We’re so trapped and they don’t even care We’re so trapped, so trapped, so trapped

Which is why I’m out at 2:36 Letting the bags under my eyes grow and grow Just to remember who I really am Until I need to put my fake face on and pretend that I'm fine I look at the clock Its 2:37.

Faith Dunham, Grade 9 Roseau High School, Roseau Teaching Artist, Frank Sentwali