Change the locks | Teen Ink

Change the locks

October 27, 2013
By Celine1901 SILVER, Jacksonville, Florida
Celine1901 SILVER, Jacksonville, Florida
7 articles 0 photos 7 comments

When I was nine, I
told my mom I was running away.
sneaking out late at night,
I danced across the neighbors lawn in my bare feet.
soaking dew into my pores until I was
cold enough to go back home,
and mom never unlocked the door.

I was unpacking the colorful teddy bears and
nectar- sweet fruit punch from my bag when I
decided to lose my words,
And spent the school night fashioning a
lock onto my lips.
I hid the key in a hollow
board under my bed.
at night I could hear it scraping,
like fingers scrabbling at my yellow wall paper.

The doctors always stood in quiet huddles,
poking with cold fingers,
as white coats illuminated their faces.
they couldn't hear my lips pursing,
over the sound of mom wrenching
the lock against my teeth.
She twisted it,
moving my tongue against rusted gold,
flipping it up and down,
against my cracked lips.

I sometimes dreamt of talking,
watching my mouth form splendid art
that never matched with sound.
I always awoke to my words
scraping along the floorboards,
slipping out the front door and

they danced across the neighbors lawn in their bare feet,
soaking dew into their pores until they were cold.
cold enough to go back home.
It was only later I realized I never unlocked the door.


The author's comments:
This piece is a bit complicated, it is about the struggle of a girl who does not want to be like her mother, and in the end, well you'll see...

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This article has 7 comments.


Nessa13 GOLD said...
on Nov. 1 2013 at 8:06 am
Nessa13 GOLD, Charlestown, Indiana
18 articles 0 photos 109 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Love, but never fall in love, because things that fall get broken&quot;<br /> -Taylor Swift

I mean, the structure of the writting is good, I just dont believe that the readers will understand what you tried to make them understand (: But, yes at least you tried (: 

on Oct. 30 2013 at 9:03 pm
Celine1901 SILVER, Jacksonville, Florida
7 articles 0 photos 7 comments
It's okay, this one was tough to write, I had the idea, but it was not working like I wanted it to on the page, oh well, at least I tried right :) Thanks for the honesty, I wish people said what they thought more often :)

on Oct. 30 2013 at 9:02 pm
Celine1901 SILVER, Jacksonville, Florida
7 articles 0 photos 7 comments
Wow, don't use the word perfect lightly, but thank you so much, i appreciate it!

on Oct. 30 2013 at 9:02 pm
Celine1901 SILVER, Jacksonville, Florida
7 articles 0 photos 7 comments
Thanks, this was a tough one, but i tried to work out the kinks in the piece :)

on Oct. 30 2013 at 12:49 pm
AlexaMarban SILVER, Las Vegas, Nevada
8 articles 0 photos 6 comments
Confused me at first but after I re-read it I kind of understood it better. Nice imagery :)

on Oct. 30 2013 at 12:01 pm
kailasulli SILVER, Asheboro, North Carolina
8 articles 0 photos 5 comments
I think this was beautifully written I love the imagery! This is truly a perfect piece. :)

Nessa13 GOLD said...
on Oct. 30 2013 at 8:19 am
Nessa13 GOLD, Charlestown, Indiana
18 articles 0 photos 109 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Love, but never fall in love, because things that fall get broken&quot;<br /> -Taylor Swift

hmmm I was really confused with this piece. It didnt make much sense to me....sorry /: