Josie Santomauro

Fluorescent lights, too bright, blinding like the western sun

Playground, chaotic, like city streets, people run, run, run

Instructions, too many, clog the system, like a paper jam

I.E.P’s, Ascertainment, Level 5, who the hell gives a damn

I’m drowning here, can’t anyone see

But you’re too busy worrying about ‘me’

A pencil drops, a classmate coughs, distractions, a full scale emergency

Teacher’s away? You say! Who are you? Who am I? Escalating anxiety

Change desk. Changed your mind. It changed my life, what a mess

No Math’s today, you say, Instead we might play? Stress! STRESS!

I’m sinking here, help me please

But you’re too busy worrying about the IEP’s

Can’t concentrate, want time out, have to get away

I ask for space, you decide I have to stay

Thump the desk, clench my fists, feels like slow motion

Push the desk over, kick the door, out, out from the commotion

I can’t breathe, unlock my lungs, please give me the key

But you’re too busy worrying about my ‘identity’

Somebody please, please, please

I’m dying here, from a new disease,

Overdone Ascertainment, Level 5, I.E.P

And not enough one on one, just get to know me.

Copyright Josie Santomauro 2004

(and if you got a headache from reading this fluro green on the black background, that's just a taste of what these kids senses feel all day)