Chuck Paxton, “The Dark Side of the Cross” Possible Revision
- Original Version
Is it normal to want to burn down a school?
To take a bulldozer and plow through it
As a way to destroy the bad memories
Teachers corrupted by greed
Willingly going into the pockets of students
Letting rules be bent to fit one side while I suffer
Corrupted by faith they spew their disapproval
Their flip flopped rules tainted by power
No justice in my mind no freedom to have a little fun
Calling me impure because I read Harry Potter
Calling me a slob because my handwriting is messy
Calling me a failure because I don’t understand a hard subject
Bible quotes bashed into my memory
Everything by Martin Luther and Jesus
Forced to memorize and repeat forever and a day
Getting detention because I stand up for myself
Convoluted teaching ways designed for failure
Singling me out because I don’t fit the profile
I get punished for one curse word
But another boy gets a free pass
After he pantsed me in front of others
I don’t blame the boy at all
I blame those tyrants in charge
Who see cursing as worse than humiliation
Because they believed one boy had lots of money
He received diplomatic immunity
Free to curse and pick fights with no consequences
Breaking my spirit with their emotional trauma
Words like “I’m not normal and I’m not with Jesus”
“Why do I question what should not be questioned”
“I’m worried you won’t succeed in life”
“Because you don’t understand these complex subjects”
“Understand that because I make you cry you will be better.”
Even though the years have passed
Since I left that elementary school
The mistreatment still resides
A black spot within my soul
Forever reminding me of those tragic days
And the fact that I did nothing to stop it
You can’t disrespect the teachers
Always honor your superiors
Why should I honor those who hurt me?
It claimed to be religious and it was
But tell me how can you support those
Who live on the darks side of the cross?
A monster smashing, or aliens abducting
Days I dreamed of it coming true
But no luck because this is reality
Still I dream of the day
When that school will be forever closed
So I may bask in their failure
And should it be condemned
By the masses of roaches and moss
I wish I can help tear it down
- Possible Revision
The Dark Side of the Cross
Is it normal to want to burn down a school?
Calling me impure because I read Harry Potter
Calling me a slob because my handwriting is messy
Bible quotes bashed into my memory
Everything by Martin Luther and Jesus
Convoluted
I get punished for one curse word
But a rich boy gets a free pass
After he pantsed me in front of others
He received diplomatic immunity
“You’re not normal” and “You’re not with Jesus”
“I’m worried you won’t succeed in life”
May it be condemned (still I dream)
By the masses of roaches and moss