Bookworm Life

Remembrance can be summoned 

to the forefront of our thoughts 

by an individual, sensation

or fragrance

One 

of my fondest memories

is associated with

Ulmer Park Branch - Brooklyn Public Library 

In the form of a book 

When new material is available to the public

A red sticker is placed on the binder 

letting readers know 

they have 7 Days

 before it is to be returned 

As I walked the halls
of Lafayette High school

engrossed in literary content 

I'm not sure if was full lips that graced the front cover

a hardcover publication with 200+ pages

or the the name "Sister Souljah"

That garnered unwanted attention in my direction


Adolescent hecklers

Pointed their fingers, laughed or cracked jokes

at a fellow student immersed in anything

outside of the course material given to us by educators 

At a particular stage in puberty
Many adopt  the erroneous belief

There's strength in 

numbers

Assuming 

by coming together via group think

can stunt another's individuality 

Unaffected by clique's & their mentality 

 I knew I had a weeks time to finish 

the text that captivated me

By ignoring the perils 

of 

peer-pressure

A valuable lesson

was

learned:

Nonchalance 

can either incite rage

or confusion 

Those brave enough 

to step away from 

the crowd asked:

What are you reading?

Smiling

I handed over the object of ostracism 

allowing them to see the synopsis for themselves...

When interest is piqued

readers are

born  

Due to differences

What isn't naturally 

possessed by others

is attempted to be emulated or destroyed

Believing 

one can obtain or take away from 

outsiders

What already 

exists

within self

Idiosyncrasies

© LaToya S. C. 

Special Girl

Real Good Girl

Biggest Thing

In My Itty Bitty World

Abstract Thing

Going

Abstract Far