INNER CITY STORIES
This I dedicate to the room in which everyone has formed a second home and a place where they feel free to talk about anything they need to express.
I also dedicate this to all the students who have been so strong through all the things they have been going through.
And finally a special thank you to Dr. Walsh for creating a platform like this for students to write, share, and deal with their problems alongside others.
Four walls and a heartbeat
In me the chairs don’t squeak
No whispers or moving feet
Students sit and they listen
To the shy faces, talent, and ambition
Listen
Four walls and my heartbeat
They hold their fists clenched while reading
They hold back the tears
They hold onto their fears
But not holding back their tongues is what keeps my heart beating
Four walls and your heartbeat
What their lives have been
Filled with venom
Fake friends with snake eyes
The pen is their weapon
Take a breath
Four walls and you are my heartbeat
You just want to pull the trigger on that pistol
You want to feel happiness
Even for just a little
To them, what they read are mistaken memories
Death, drugs, and rape
These scars are not temporary
They run to the composition book
And me
Four walls and a heartbeat