The sophomores read the poetry of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, including her poem “You Foolish Men,” where she calls out . . . well, men. Sophomores in turn wrote poems “calling out” someone. Lilah turns the tables and calls out herself. It caught our eye. Thus, we asked if we could share “Calling out myself…” on thebirdonfire.org. (She said “Yes.”)

By Sophomore Guest Poet Lilah Nick

I always play my music a little too loud,

I always sleep in when I know I have plans,

And I always drink caffeine late at night. 

I always stay up late until my eyelids

Have weights pulling then down, 

And I always “forget” to do my homework,

Telling myself I can finish it later.

I always say no to help because I’m too stubborn.

I drink water when I’m hungry

And isolate myself when I’m lonely.

I think self care forces me to spend 

Too much time with myself 

So I choose destruction everytime.

Is it just self sabotage?

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If you have a poem, essay, photograph, animation, rant, opinion you’d like to share, contact the editorial staff at thebirdonfire.org: Jesse Denyer, Aria Mendoza, Roman Rickwood, Ike Spry, and Ms. Zachik.