In-School Suspension

All I can hear is the murmur,

Of the school secretary's gossip.

"Did you see Jessica's outfit today?"

"I can't believe she's getting away with wearing that!"

I try to lay my head down

But they think I'm trying to sleep.

"Molly, are you trying to sleep?"

"No," I reply.

"Well, lift your head up please!"

As if I could sleep-

With florescent lights blinding me overhead.

There's another girl down the hall

They take her cell phone.

"Emily, please give me your phone."

"I'm not giving you my phone!" She retaliated.

A threat of out of school suspension

And she handed over her beloved phone.

My phone vibrates

I answer it.

I have a sweatshirt hiding mine.

The boredom is taking over

And is causing me to fidget uncontrollably.

A knock on the door,

And I fly out of my chair.

"Here's your homework."

It was just a student aide,

Probably laughing at my pathetic attempt to doodle.

Or maybe she too,

Can hear the principal's witty banter.

"Ms. Jo, Ms. Jo! Get off your cell phone and get to work before I fire you!"

Lines.

Letters.

Shapes.

Pictures.

Etched into the wall

That encloses me.

I try to read them all,

Then the door opens.

"There's an assembly in an hour, but you have to stay in here."

She leaves.

I start to shiver.

It's absolutely freezing.

But I'm trying to use my sweatshirt as a pillow

And a way to hide my phone.

They send me to lunch late

And eating in that little room,

Is not my idea of fine dining.

My fries get cold and hard,

Faster than usual.

I am running out of things

To write in texts,

And write on paper.

I'd almost rather be in class.