Thick bricks blockade my inside laughs.
Others giggle, I stare.
Mom says it's a new page being turned
But my inside chattering thinks otherwise.
“At least try,” they say,
But I retract from the thought.
I used to greet with a smile,
I used to talk with a squeak,
I used to run with pride.
Now,
Thick bricks blockade my inside laughs.