Our Middle School Cafeteria

Overwhelming humidity and all of us
sinking as the hyenas chewed their thawed
chicken tenders and snatches of conversation

crept against the walls like jagged black light.
We were a single organism, sweaty
cells rebelling against each other, kicking

and howling over a piercing whistle in the center
of the room, a principal’s proclamation
of EVERYONE BE QUIET! Another day

of many, we reminded ourselves and imagined
our escape through the creaking double doors
into the dewy air. Another day of many,

we reminded ourselves, never really knowing
how many remained...


Leena Rajkotia is a writer from Bethesda, Maryland. You can find her work in her school’s on-campus literary magazine, The Red Wheelbarrow. Leena is a freshman studying creative writing at Interlochen Arts Academy.