Hoping for you not to see me

Beginning each piece again and again

Hoping that I will blend into another

Invisible 

Feeling bad for talking

Thinking you’ll hear me 

Head down 

While a backpack pushes 

Arms numb with the weight

Of work 

Unread books 

Deodorant stains 

Staring at the floor 

Dodging gum 

Out in the rain 

Sprinkles crinkling hair 

Too much spit in tubes 

In the midst of chapped lips

Playing the oboe in class

The teacher says 

Put your shoulders back. 

 

Mattie Grace Levy

I'm a black woman, a classically trained oboist, a self-taught composer, and an introspective poet trying to comprehend my thoughts.

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