My Struggle

Karla Llerena

Usually you’ll walk and ignore all the weird stuff happening around you, Until you can’t ignore it any longer. You can’t ignore the trauma, the violence, the oppression. But you gotta suck it up and go about your day. You’ll think that your day will start well, Until you’re in another person’s shoes.

To walk in my shoes is to get dragged down By the people closest to you. To walk in my shoes is to feel Like you’re on fire and not even water could put you out. To walk in my shoes is to walk outside And there will always be someone trying to talk to you. To walk in my shoes is to lose Your appetite because your mental health is not even straight.

To walk in my shoes is to be running For your life and still have to go about your day. Because you have responsibilities and goals to achieve. To walk in my shoes is to lose Interest little by little in doing the things you enjoy. To walk in my shoes is to slack In school because you can’t slack at home. To walk in my shoes is not having a person to go to. What is it like to walk in yours?

Yours truly, Karla