As part of Bainbridge Youth Services’ This I Know writing project, Cecilly Stokes wrote this ballad during sixth grade at Hyla Middle School. She originally intended it to be sung to Mazurka in A minor by Chopin.

The Ballad of the In-Between

I’m off to middle school without the safety of the 5th grade hall … Slamming locker

Where is drama? He’s on’ da table ‘citin’ Hamlet Oh, huzzah!

So many … Kids obsessed with vict’ry dances Now, they’re dabbing!

What’s the deal with Fortnite? Catching my breath Looking around feels like “Lost in Space”!

Trip’d into teasing tyrants’ tasteless taunts slipping notes in hair

Gossip girls and Boist’rous boys turn their backs, then murmurs in the classroom.

Pencil snatching Shoves and pushes Why can’t we just get along?

It gets worse!!! Creepy chanting Being ship’d off When will this all end?

Keep my mouth shut Look away and pull my hood up Drowning in my dark thoughts

Find a corner Take a deep breath Let my mind op’n up Then found a … Ping Pong table

Gagaball pit Then I made friends felt the same way Snow ball fights and playing sardines

Piles of pizza Gutt’rs of ice cream Understanding eager teachers took the time to make us laugh

Clouds dispersing sunlight broke free forgot’n sorrow no regrets So I thought, but there it goes a-gain, the horror!

pointless competition Tasteless taunts and snarky comments just to push ahead

But I have good new friends who watch my back and stand in my defense Th’state of in be-tween the good and

bad we all feel So I realize we’re all twitchy tweeners In between, yet such is life in middle school!

Editor’s Note: This I Know is a Bainbridge Youth Services platform for youth voices. The monthly column showcases student beliefs, most often through their own stories. BYS is a nonprofit organization that offers free, confidential mental health counseling, free tutoring, and job services to youth 13 to 21 years old. Check out our website: www.askbys.org.