by Jay Roberson

Jay Roberson (they/he) is a current Junior studying secondary education and English with a minor in special education. They are a news editor at The Rider News as well as a student producer for the show Pod Save the Teachers at 107.7 The Bronc. They hope to advocate for underrepresented communities through their work as an educator and a writer. Roberson can be reached at robersonji@rider.edu for any comments or questions.

Scooped out my insides
And served up on a platter
I watch you feast
On the flesh that was mine

Something that used to be so familiar to me
Is far gone

There’s no telling what comes next
You’re an ancient mystery
A broken relic

Never filled, always hungry
But I’m right there to feed
Hot blood boils between

As cold came in December
Pieces came together
Fear struck my face
When I realized my place

Decorated and beautiful
A tool to be used, and used
Leave them open
Then leave the rest to me

Scraps left behind
On the table resigned
Discarded and pardoned

My skin soiled real fast
For you to leave it like that
You must be scared
Of cuts you created

I’m so scared of the truth
I try to patch it up
But it hurts to look