One girl’s lanky frame against the dark turf field,

lit up by fluorescent lights 

She saunters toward the building 

holding another girl’s hand

Is this what it feels like?

To not be considered human?

To be some invalid,

Invisible thing

That almost nobody wants?

Is this what it feels like?

To be rejected and turned away?

You vacuum the carpet in the same direction, 
straight lines like ribs, hoping to be noticed, 
hoping someone sees proof of you, 
the ghost of your hands pressed into the fibers. 

Head towards the sky

Eyes open

Hearts open

Looking for a shooting star

A spark of equality

A spark of freedom

Eyes search the sky

Spend hours searching

Looking

Hoping

Wishing to wish

I know the rules and rights are 

The same:

For boys and girls

And everyone in between,

We are supposed to stand

On the same uneven ground,

My rights

Are my mirror

They reflect me

They reflect how people think of me

The mirror is small

Just big enough to see my face

My world, was full of happiness and bright

my world, comforting from daylight to night.

my world, seeing animals ripping people into bloody tears,

I know now that they shouldn't be my biggest fears.

I’ll say it: I hate our president

All my life, people have written me off as

“different”

“possessed” and

“antisocial”

And while yes

I am different

I am not possessed

I am disabled

my rights are in a chokehold,

gasping for the air they once were able to breathe in deep.

the air that made them feel so free,

like a bird in the great open sky,

or a puppy full of sweet little dreams.

Whispers so cruel flood the news,

Filling many hearts with fear. 

Some listen to only what they want to hear. 

Their denial leaves a black and blue bruise. 

I've never been much of a fighter.

I take hits like glass takes baseballs

like fire takes to rain.

Glass breaks and fire goes out.

I've never been much of a fighter.

A retaliator, resister

"You want your rights?"

"Come and get it," said the snake.

It was wrapped around a tree

in the confines of his tail,

a paper labeled "YOUR RIGHTS."

I stared up at the snake,