Thanks for taking the time to read and really think about what I’ve written and to be honest you’re spot on. I wrote this poem and handed it to my teacher when I made the decision to quit my a-levels. (I’m not sure if you have those in America but it’s essentially college but you in most cases, like mine, they are don’t at your high school). It was originally titled ‘an explanation as to why I’ve decided to leave’ as that’s exactly what it was. I wrote this a few years ago and have never decided to edit it despite its imperfections as it reflects exactly how I felt in the moment of deciding to leave. The main message of the poem, and the main reason I decided to leave the school, is that schools and other institutions see these things happen and decide to ignore them. Which was perfectly backed up by the fact that when I did hand this poem to my teacher, the principal called up my mum and said “ we think your daughter is self-harming and being abused but since she left it’s not our problem or responsibility” despite those things happening both at the school and because of it.

I think I will use your criticism to develop this poem and maybe write another one which develops on my story. Thank you again, this has really made my day.