Center Stage, Katie Thibault (11

A Messy Poem for You, cont.

To say your name in front of everyone, To describe the way you make me feel like a lantern Raven hair, chocolate eyes, the ease at which you laugh Make me feel like cold sugar in an iced-tea glass Feeling warm like languid sips of coffee in afternoon Feeling thrilled like an aquarium of yellow, red, and blue

How romantic it would be if I could tell this all to you

So my screen began to shimmer Ms. Mucic continued to press My ears could barely hear her Say if no one shared, she’d give a test

But you’re not even in this class.

So for my embarassment, there was no need So shaking, I raised my hand and stated I would read

And then Ms. Mucic said

“I’m just kidding, everyone. But what you’re feeling right now? That’s what Hamlet and Ophelia must’ve felt when their love letters were read aloud. I would never do that to any of you; you can relax now, and don’t submit or send anything in the chat.”

Center Stage

Katie Thibault, 11

My ears rang and I was lightheaded, I heard a collective gasp This feeling subsided, and I laughed beside the class. The zoom call continued, and with a returning sense of gray That feeling spread a streak of tangerine in my day.