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Our poet this week writes: “My name is Delaney Stone and I’m a junior at Endicott College. I designed my own major in Communication Sciences and Disorders because I aspire to be a Speech Pathologist. I’m from New London, NH and adore my family, especially my two-year-old nephew, named Nolan. I’m the vice president of the Autism Awareness Organization at Endicott College and I’m a Resident Assistant. I nanny three boys in Marblehead, MA and mentor a student with autism three days a week. I’ve always enjoyed reading, writing and poetry.”

Delaney Stone

Most people don’t know I have it.

When I’m about to get in the shower,

it screams at me through the mirror.

It was painful

small needles

moving at a rapid pace,

puncturing the surface of my skin.

Now, I can’t imagine my body without it,

it’s something I can control.

I was taking my body back,

a survivor and not a victim.

I wear teal flowers,

permanently displayed on my rib cage.

He no longer has control.

I didn’t get a choice,

I didn’t get to say “no.”

Now I have a choice.

A choice,

to choose,

who sees

me.

— Delaney Stone

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To have your work considered for the Lyrical send it to:
Doug Holder, 25 School St.; Somerville, MA 02143
dougholder@post.harvard.edu