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I Just Want to Write

Cover artwork by Arina Stetsiuk, age 16, Ukraine

Jillian Cheary

January 29, 2025

Department: Poetry

Issue: Music and Art

I just want to write
I just want to feel
I want to mix words and notes to create a different world but I’m stuck with my two
Reality and my anxiety’s reality
Neither are creative and both are gray
I’m unsure of where to go but this third world would be great
In each letter
Each break
Each measure
Each space
It’s all valuable because it all makes you feel
It all makes you feel

Exactly what you need to

I need to write
I need to feel
And I am, I’m just feeling a lot all at once so it’s like this big mixing pot So I’m all mixed up
Is there a path to follow or a step to take
But all are foggy and give me a headache
I want to write it all because I know it would show me
The truth
An error
Perspective
Or a breath of air
Because it’s all valuable and I may need value to get

Somewhere?

Maybe the third world I write that’s reality without my anxiety where I can prance in
Each letter
Each break
Each measure
And each space

I get to be in it and let it show me the truth — really just perspective
But I’ll sit in it

And just

Breathe it in

A gray KidSpirit infinity logo
Jillian Cheary is a high school senior from New York City.