Samantha Harper's poem is a direct message to her teachers, built on the repeated line "I wish my teachers knew." The speaker wants to be understood, not judged. She pushes back on labels like "crazy," "lazy," and "faking," insisting that her shaking at the bus stop isn't a bid for attention. What drives her behavior, she says, is fear: of change, homework, failure, rejection, and not being good enough.
Midway through, the poem becomes more personal. The speaker names the things that weigh on her: a toxic relationship, bullying, sexual assault, and a mother who left. She doesn't dwell on details. She lists them plainly, which makes them hit harder.
The mood is raw, vulnerable, and quietly hopeful. Even in her fear, she says she is "still trying my best." The ending, "I'm still just a kid," is both a plea and a reminder that she needs patience and care.