A Child’s Perspective On Getting In Trouble

• Lucy Elmslie, Grade 10, Northern Beaches Christian School
• Poetry
• 2017

Excellence Award in the 'Write Here Write Now 2017' competition

A towering figure stands over you
A face eclipsed by the words that enter your surroundings
It’s not the words that scare you, It’s how they say them
A concoction filled with many distinct reactions to the current situation
You await your punishment
There are the kids who giggle hoarsely with contented grins
Mainly for the relief that comes with not being the subject
Then there are those who await your punishment with empathy
Or so they say
That feeling of a concaving throat materializes
The tears that knock on the doors of your eye ducts are forced to wait
For you will not cry in front of your classmates
Your feet clench in your black leather clarks
And your eyes wander in an attempt to avoid eye contact
Your teacher takes a breathe
And a lashing of words blur over