They lead me to a stage made out of wood. People cheering, all in happy mood. There is a rope. They tie it all around my chest. Another rope. This time attaching my body to the stalk. All are shouting. Screaming for a show. So here they bring another rope. They light the fire, I breathe in the smoke. I hear them all. All waiting for my fall. There is no fear. I still can hear. They’re all looking in my direction. No one seeing my reaction. No one knowing how I looked. No one caring why I burnt. My eyes open against my will. I just want to stop to feel. But instead I look and really see. I lock my eyes at them, but no one at me. The flames begin to reach my body. I cannot think, my mind is foggy. It quiets down. I cannot hear the screams. I have no choice but to close my eyes and breathe it in. I wish I did not have to feel. But I did. I felt it all. Until all left was my ash laying on the floor. Please, read this: This was the graduation poem that Alexandra Radeva wrote for the Writers’ Award of Sofia Writing Challenge, published here exactly as submitted. If you liked it, please, vote for the poem with the Heart button. This will help the author win the Writers’ Award. The poem with the most likes by July 10, Wednesday, 8 pm, will win the award. Thank you! ♥
