I could feel the sweat roll down my back

as I sat in my 4th grade classroom

my legs were sticking to the chair

the hair around my neck began to curl

it was a good 90 degrees outside

the AC unit was broken

& I was miserable

it’s hard to learn about math

when you’re drowning in sweat

and insecurities even worse

I wore my sweatshirt all day

cheeks were flushed and pink

little droplets of sweat formed on my temples

the teacher asked if I was okay

“aren’t you hot?” she asked

no, no I was not okay & yes I am hot!

but I lied to her

“I’m okay”

I told her my mother made me wear my sweatshirt

that I was not allowed to take it off

it was easier for me to tell a bold-faced lie

which I hated to do

than to admit to my teacher

that I was ashamed of my weight.

I was only 9 years old…

@anamariepoetry