6:00 a.m.



I can't think in the morning -

I'm on auto-pilot until second period French.

Yesterday morning

I thought for a minute

because it was warmer

and I didn't want to go to math.



My math teacher

inconsiderately pulls down the blinds

and shuts me out from the morning rays

that pierce the sky

and illuminate Calculus

dark and dry

on my notebook.



I move

through my day

saddened - no one knows.

Andrea called me,

woke me from my sad dreams

of happier days -

Carolyn had died,



but she was

only six

and I was complaining

that my legs ached

from running,

and my windows

were open

and I couldn't

fall asleep

because it turned

colder

and I was shivering.



And I thanked God

that my legs ached

and for making me struggle

through Calculus.

And I thanked God

that I could shiver

because sometime

I would be warm

again.