Scholastic Spotlight: Payton Johnson

Rock Bottom

Honorable Mention

Author: Payton Johnson

12^th Grade

Educator: Shawn Krinke

Northern Cass

I heard them laughing,

when I couldn't do my best.

They aimed their axe at my base,

so I took my final breath.

The base I built for years,

that held me up so high.

It faltered to the bottom.

Splinters and leaves colored the sky.

I hit the ground hard,

it was cold I do remember.

The others down here don't mind,

they told me it'd get better.

The sun isn't so warm here,

the flowers are dead.

I try not to think about what could've been,

but the mistakes echo in my head.

Tomorrow I'll replant my roots.

I tell myself I'll breathe again.

Besides,

they say rock bottom has the best foundation

to build and grow within.