leave me alone

i never raised

my hand

in class, even if i knew the answer.

why was

everyone

else doing that

i wondered.

their hands

flailing in the air,

half out of their chairs.

what were they trying to do.

impress the teacher,

each other.

and when

the teacher pointed

at me

for the answer, i couldn't imagine

why.

my hand was not

up.

leave me alone.

please,

if i have to speak, i'll die.