11:00 by Lindy Feaster (13, USA)

[Content warning: possible suicide ideation, strong language]

cobwebs coat his mind / mine is sealed with thick swirls / ice cream / frozen like the statues downtown / drunken sobbing / echo / when will it end? / he wants to die / the kids are safe, I hope / he wants to die / the lake is right there / I’m scared / he wants to die but I’m scared / the acrid scent of alcohol floats / a bobbing ship above a never-ending sea / or is it a drug? / it goes around and turns over again / circular / he’s always the monster / he’s always the shitty fucking villain /  headlights reflect in dilated pupils / cold glass / fingerprints turn windowpane / come get help / tinny stereo and the ringing in my ears / mosquito / embers mash form ball pit of dog barks and burning fear / goose bumps over coyote howls and car alarms / crying beneath sleeping bag ears plugged whisper fight / fearfearfearfearfear / he can smell it

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