Youth Voice Writing Contest 2021 — Finalist, Poetry
Time for bed.
In the car we go.
Walmart parking lots in the winter.
Bundle up. Huddle up.
Try to stay warm.
Four blankets. Three people.
Mom and two daughters.
Mom gets two.
Selfish. Manipulative. Inconsiderate.
I’m still cold.
Scared to sleep.
Tossing and turning.
Wishing it were morning.
Loud noises outside are very alerting.
Tired. Judged. Unwanted. Alone.