Writing

My science teacher accused me

playfully and yet fiercely

of stealing an envelope

I had been threatening to peel the cover strip off of the sticky part

so it glues together

because it was just so tempting.

My life is like a lake,

All water and round,

So clear it is a mirror,

Or rather, a looking glass.

But when you look a little closer,

Dip your toes beneath the surface,

I haven't seen democracy since I was four years old, 

coloring with crayons outside the lines while a man on screen was coloring the map with too much red that the blue was overpowered. 

Greed overtook them

Only those in power shoot their guns in fear

Of the potential held in the palm of our hands

Delicate and rough fingers intertwined through every color to shoot back.

Bye Good,

I believe in America and I believe in who we could be

but I don't believe in who we are.

It's so easy to give up and let them reign.

I am.

I'm scared to stand up or say things and I haven't before,

and I won't.

If only I could stop doubting myself,

If only I could stop being afraid,

If only I could be happier instead of secret depression,

If only I could get better, and peace would stay,