Psyche by Leah Brady (16, Florida)

I air my grievances in a blank room
with a woman across from me
She sits with a pen, breathing in my words
Coughing on my tone of voice

I think she knows my mind is an
abandoned swimming pool
The algae flutters on the bottom as the
warm sun beats down on the cool water
It should be beautiful growth
But it only makes me ugly

---

She peers into a big book that tells her
who I am, and what I ought not to be
The big book tells her to clean the pool
The pool cleaner tells her to use
harsh chemicals
Abrasive, corrosive things
that will break up the muck

She says this will make me feel better
I dive with blind faith
And the pool is crystal clear
But it’s poison

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