Curriculum of the Unruly

Lesson One:

How to sharpen a pencil

into something dangerous.

How to write your name

in script so perfect

it cuts like a scalpel.

Lesson Two:

The arithmetic of rebellion—

subtract his opinion,

divide the household labor,

multiply your voice

until the sum of you

cannot be contained

in his ledger.

Lesson Three:

Geography of the body—

map your contours

not by where he touches,

but by where you ache

to be free.

Lesson Four:

Chemistry of tears—

how saltwater corrodes

the shackles of *nice*,

how weeping in the shower

is just precipitation

before the storm.

Final Exam:

Stand before the mirror,

recite your worth

without flinching.

Watch your reflection

start a slow clap.

**Extra Credit:**

Burn the syllabus.

Let the ash spell *"Enough."*