I am fifteen
but my body and
mutinous mind
are not mine.
I have scars on my arms
and memories of dark beauty--
bitter beads of blood
seeping shadows.
slide the knife
unzip my skin
and step outside--
who would I be
and how would I look?
perhaps I'm hollow?
what if--
underneath all this--
I'm not actually real?
maybe I was never here
just a dream
or was it a nightmare?
everybody wants me to
act my age
but I'm fifteen
so God only knows what that means.
not a child
not so innocent
not an adult
still too young.
I have to learn to talk to adults
and make phone calls to strangers
and manage my money
and drive a car.
I have to take care of th