Teacher of the Year

I was so young

and unaware

of your grasp

around my wrist

white knuckled

pulling me

closer

16

"maybe you're gay"

no one ever said it

out loud

the knot in my stomach

tightened

so did your grasp

parents strung out

you

took advantage of all of it

my first anything

with

do I dare call you

a man?

no.

my abuser. my director.

teacher of the goddamn year.

-written by Gaige Robinson