For Children

Lindeng Shen

Awkward

2024 5th & 6th Grade Poetry Honorable Mention

everyday i open my mouth
to talk with someone
some random butterfly flies in
i close my mouth
they stare
and stare
and stare
they walk away

nothing has been gained
no information
no socializing
nothing will ever be gained
when i am talking
and my stomach is filled with fluttering insects
that don’t stop

it feels like i am plagued
because butterflies cannot mind
their own stupid business