Disclaimer: The poem’s mine. No one else’s. So don’t steal it. You have morals and principles, you know. So use them.

Author’s Note: This is sort of futuristic, in a way. Anyway, this is just my feelings when people at my school suddenly acknowledged my existence.

It’s rather cold in the auditorium

Two fans are on, whirring away

cooling off people

who have been in the sweltering summer heat

not too long ago

Onstage nothing really major is going on

the principal’s talking to people –

the board members

former students

veterans

Then it’s quiet

an introductory speech is given

that only lasts 5 mins.

Then there’s applause

a few hoots, slaps on the back and whistles

and most importantly, smiles

Smiles that can be seen on nearly every face

in the room

brightening up their faces

making the atmosphere even lighter and happier

than it already is

My name is called then

I shakily get up to my feet

hearing faintly the cheers from my friends

the sounds only vibrating, echoing off the walls

vaguely registering in my numb frozen unable to think

yet heavy with thought brain

and walk up onto the stage

My hands shaking with both anticipation and nervousness

My sides practically jumping

My heart in my throat

I accept my diploma

somehow manage to walk off the stage

and back to my seat

without bruising or, better yet, losing my dignity

As I sit now, watching my classmates

one by one

come onstage

amidst applause

and accept their diploma

A long forgotten thought manages to escape the now defrozen

part of my brain

after 8 years of playful teasing

after 8 years of being hidden in the crowd of 200

after 8 years of constant mispronunciation of my name

after 8 years of put downs

– I’ve finally been

Recognized.