My Letter to the World

My name is Amelia.  

I am 17 years old 

And I am afraid for my future. 

I am tired of old men 

Deciding how I will live,  

Determining the world in which 

I will raise my children. 

My own parents have cried 

Because I am a girl 

Growing up in a world 

Where I don't feel safe 

Taking my dog for a walk at night,  

Where I remember snow piled high 

But only as a distant memory. 

I am almost 18 

I will be voting for the first woman, 

First Black woman, to run for president.  

I am proud to be saying this,  

Proud to be a young feminist,  

Proud to be hopeful. 

I am still a kid,  

I go to school and fill nights with homework.  

I don't understand 

Why the burden of our future

Should lie on my shoulders

When I still have growing up to do

And chores to get done before dinner.