Point of Retreat(84)

I smile.

Kiersten takes a deep breath and says, “My poem tonight is called ‘Butterfly you.’”



Lake and I both look at each other. I know she’s thinking the same thing I’m thinking, which is, “Oh, no.”



“Butterfly.

What a beautiful word

What a delicate creature.



Delicate like the cruel words that flow right out of your mouths



and the food that flies right out of your hands…



Does it make you feel better?

Does it make you feel good ?

Does picking on a girl make you more of a man?



Well, I’m standing up for myself

Like I should have done before



I’m not putting up with your



Butterfly anymore.”

(Kiersten slides the sack off her wrist and opens it, pulling out a handful of hand-made butterflies. She takes the microphone out of the stand and begins walking down the stairs as she continues speaking.)



“I’d like to extend to others what others have extended to me.”

(She walks up to Mrs. Brill first and holds out a butterfly)

“Butterfly you, Mrs. Brill.”

(Mrs. Brill smiles at her and takes the butterfly out of her hands. Lake laughs out loud and I have to nudge her to get her to be quiet. Kiersten walks around the room, passing out butterflies to several of the students, including the three from the lunchroom.)

“Butterfly you, Mark.

Butterfly you, Brendan.

Butterfly you, Colby.”

(When she finishes passing out the butterflies, she walks back onto the stage and places the microphone back into the stand.)

“I have one thing to say to you

And I’m not referring to the bullies



Or the ones they pursue.



I’m referring to those of you that just stand by



The ones who don’t take up for those of us that cry

Those of you who just…turn a blind eye.



After all it’s not you it’s happening to

You aren’t the one being bullied



And you aren’t the one being rude



It isn’t your hand that’s throwing the food



But…it is your mouth not speaking up



It is your feet not taking a stand



It is your arm not lending a hand



It is your heart



Not giving a damn.



So take up for yourself



Take up for your friends



I challenge you to be someone



Who doesn’t give in.

Don’t give in.

Don’t let them win.”



As soon as ‘damn’ comes out of Kiersten’s mouth, Mrs. Brill is marching onto the stage. Luckily, Kiersten finishes her poem and rushes off the stage before Mrs. Brill reaches her. The audience is in shock. Well, most of the audience. Everyone on our row is giving her a standing ovation.

As Mrs. Brill announces the next performance and we take our seats, Sherry whispers to me, “I didn’t get the whole ‘butterfly’ thing, but the rest of it was so good.”



“Yeah it was,” I agree. “It was butterflying excellent.”



Caulder is called onto the stage next. He looks nervous. I’m nervous for him. Lake’s nervous, too. I wish I knew what he was doing so I could have given him some advice before he got up there. Lake zooms the camera in and focuses it on Caulder. I take a deep breath, hoping he can get through it without cussing. Mrs. Brill already has her eye on us. Caulder walks to the microphone and introduces his talent.

“I’m Caulder. I’m also doing a slam tonight. It’s called ‘Suck and sweet.’”



Oh no, here we go again.



I’ve had a lot of sucks in life

A lot



My parents died almost four years ago, right after I turned seven

With every day that goes by I remember them less and less



Like my mom…I remember that she used to sing.

She was always happy,

always dancing.

Other than what I’ve seen of her in pictures, I don’t really remember what she looks like.