POPS the Club recognizes and celebrates our students’ talents, ideas and points of view, and we create a community that does not allow stigma or suffering to silence us.
–––
Why I Couldn’t Leave
by Nicole Landaverde
See him twice a month or so,
Knowing it could end anytime,
Knowing I could tell someone what he does,
But not wanting to bring up the past.
Knowing I’m already too late.
He is dangerous to himself and everyone around.
But I was at the point where dangerous did not scare me.
He spoke as if he was twenty years older. His eyes were dilated as if he took drugs. His breath smelled of nothing but alcohol, not even his scent. He stepped close, closing the gap in between. I was no longer inhaling fresh air. I froze, not knowing what his intentions were. I held his stare, wanting to help him, but also afraid of which person would come out.
He yelled his lungs out and once he began to sink down, I was no longer afraid. He needed help, help I wanted to give. Tears fell from his eyes, kneeling down, I kneeled next to him. I felt no fear. Thanking God I did not meet his rage side. He looked so vulnerable. All I wanted to do was cry by his side, but what’s worse than a person crying? Two people crying. I couldn’t help if I forced myself to feel as down as he looked. No talking, just the movement of his shoulders shaking. We were sitting on the floor like statues. I couldn’t relate. I couldn’t understand what he was going through, but I couldn’t leave him alone.
–––