Writing

i know all the words, of course. who doesn't? we are practically

brainwashed into our knowing, having to stand and face the flag

(when did you learn that it was hand over heart &

People say I should be--

Pristine

Presentable

Profitable

Prominent

Pretty

Petite

Polite

Pleasant

Perfect

Which one?

Life is a gift

no one deserves

to lose.

One hundred murders

were committed

in my city this year.

One hundred humans

deserving of rights

were killed

in my city

this year.

Why did you think I would bleed when the knife rose pools of ---- out of me?

It wasn't blood.

It was my hope that you were a good person.

I found out my answer.

I'm sorry.

And I guess that's all I can really say.

I watched them fall

watched and I couldn't do anything

at Columbine

at Sandy Hook

at Parkland.

I couldn't do anything

Hello fall

Hello, fall with warm colored leaves and a washed away breeze.

Hello, cold mornings and warm nights, so pretty.

Hello, watching scary movies as you cozy up in thousands of blankets.