M. Hank

I sat down to write a poem about politics,

About how our country is tearing itself apart,

About how we’ve tried to glue pieces back together,

About how somehow it’s already been a year.

When friends start bullying

When children start polluting

When everyone is taking

When neighbors start killing.

Maybe that’s when

Friends should start listening 

I started getting folded-up sheets of blank loose-leaf paper from a girl in my algebra class six years ago. I still remember the first one I got in Junior year.

Aimee Carty. 

She's my favorite artist.

Her name is a swirl of blue and pink in my mind,

but her music-

oh, her music is such a beautiful blend of all the colors you can name.

First transgender representative 

First protester

First lesbian senior 

First Muslim mayor 

First to take a stand

First in history

But that's not the point is it?

Not at all

the hands tick, signaling the passage of time

sunlight reflects off bronze,

the copper mechanisms illuminated

the Timekeeper works,

ensuring everyone hears a