M. Hank

I will be the court jester

But when you remind me of my past

My lungs refuse to laugh

Now I fall quiet

A sad smile dances on my lips

As I glance at you with pain in my eyes

Rain.

Laughter.

Smiles.

Swimsuits and twister.

Getting soaked just for fun.

This is girlhood.

This is happiness.

This is freedom.

Music is great

But being compared to your best friend isn’t

Music is great

Can you hear the roar of the crowd? 

The thousands of people, 

Kids, teens, adults and seniors. 

All screaming at the corrupt administration that we call a government. 

We will not be silenced. 

I wish for a day where my dreams do not change for each day of the week.

But perhaps I do not.

Because some days I wish for a future where I am always busy, in a city that sleeps even less than I do.

We cheer and shake our cowbells, waving at passing cars. 

Sometimes they roll down their windows, clapping and cheering back.

Sometimes they roll their eyes and look away, avoiding eye contact.