This poem was a highly commended entry in the 2019 Words Unlocked poetry contest hosted by the Center for Educational Excellence in Alternative Settings.
I am a 15-year-old Menace to society,
Well, through the eyes of my prosecutor and Jury,
whose life simultaneously
came to a halt due to Felony of the first offense.
I fell as if my sympathetic state of mind
has vanished
and left my emotion Blacker
than Usain Bolt.
My heart is colder than
the Second week of January
and the reason I feel so pale
Is because Nobody has Sympathy
remorse, or emotions for me
except my Mom,
who cries everyday
and genuinely loves me.
Yes. I am a Felon.
Yes. I made a bad decision.
But, should I go to Prison for more
years than I have lived on this earth.
No. I am not a Menace.
I am a child.
M.T. attends school at the Summit County Juvenile Detention Center in Ohio.