Poetry: Suffocating Relief

"Doll's Tea Time with Treats" 
 by Marie C.

Suffocating Relief 

by Lila Ahitov

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Our shoes are different sizes 
Toes curling to fit in the space
Aching pain bites–
Oh, to be included

Piano lessons since birth 
But a violinist is yearned for
Tutorials all night–
Oh, to be included

My soothing hand on a trembling shoulder,
Easing my own tremors to console 
Pain as small as a giant– 
More to gain, oh, to be included

Eating the same peanut butter sandwich 
Resulting in the waste of my only EpiPen
Alas, worth it– 
Oh, to be included

About the author

Since a young age, Lila Ahitov has loved writing and reading. Whether it was reading the French children's books that her Parisian mother put her to bed with or attempting the lyrics of her dad’s favorite Turkish song from his childhood, she always noticed words. “Lila,” her name, was given to her September 1st, 2008. Meaning purple, night, and beauty, and much more. Growing up in America with European parents allowed her to dabble in languages other than English, French being the one that mostly stuck. Staying close with her family and friends, and growing her cultural knowledge are continuously important to her. Lila is filled with gratitude for the freedom of choice in her future, which she hopes to include writing, travel, and law. Heavy emotions and thoughts can sometimes be a burden, and writing things, like her submission, helps her release it.