by Chloe Eltrignham

Four walls known since birth; quiet creaks from these walls settling. You have known no
change, grown and raised to know how to survive in small-town America.

Hiding hair dye to not get scolded for the outrageous color, yet you’ve done the same?

Listen to the small-town gossip, holding on fearing your own name being brought up.

Keep quick with your conversations with outsiders in this community, as conflicting
ideals threaten those in power.

Quiet late-night talks with friends outside, waiting for that breath of fresh air.

For now, you sneak your late-night cigarettes, while your piercings heal and roots grow
in. Try as you might, the understanding is you are already in the gossip and how you
were raised comes into question, you know you are not meant for small-town America.

So now as you hide your buds in the hedges and begin your night waiting for the day
when high school does end, you can just exist in peace.

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