To Santa Claus and Little Sisters

Once . . . he wrote a poem. And called it "Chops," Because that was the name of his dog, and that's what it was all about. And the teacher gave him an "A" And a gold star. And his mother hung it on the kitchen door, and read it to all his aunts ... Once . . . he wrote another poem. And he called it "Question Marked Innocence," Because that was the name of his grief and that's what it was all about. And the professor gave him an "A" And a strange and steady look. And his mother never hung it on the kitchen door, because he never let her see it... Once, at 3 a.m.... he tried another poem... And he called it absolutely nothing, because that's what it was all about. And he gave himself an "A" And a slash on each damp wrist, And hung it on the bathroom door because he couldn't reach the kitchen.

--A 15-year-old boy two years before he committed suicide

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