Suffocating Relief | Lila Ahitov

Our shoes are different sizes 

Toes curling to fit in the space

Aching pain bites–

Oh, to be included

Piano lessons since birth 

But a violinist is yearned for

Tutorials all night–

Oh, to be included

My soothing hand on a trembling shoulder,

Easing my own tremors to console 

Pain as small as a giant– 

More to gain, oh, to be included

Eating the same peanut butter sandwich 

Resulting in the waste of my only EpiPen

Alas, worth it– 

Oh, to be included

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Since a young age, Lila Ahitov has loved writing. Both reading the French books that her mother put her to bed with or attempting the lyrics of her dad’s favorite childhood Turkish songs, she noticed words. Heavy emotions can sometimes be burdening, and writing things, like her submission, helps release it. Lila lives in Los Angeles, CA and is in 11th grade at Windward School.