Poetry

I do not understand how some people choose to live in ignorance of the world around them

Ignorance is not bliss

It is deciding that you do not care to know about the struggles of others

Hurt me a in million ways,

and shatter my heart,

then send me away

with an open scar.

Pull me in close,

then rip us apart.

Kill all my hopes

to get what you want.

i go to school these days & i'm scared i'll get shot

earbuds always in, trying to drown out my thoughts

fall to the ground, let it all float away

look me in the eyes & i'll believe every lie you say

We are Gen-Z 

Even if you don't think so.

We are here even if we 

Pretend we’re not.

We are matter 

We take up space.

We are important 

Even if we don't think we are. 

Oh-

Punctured the main artery, sunsets flowing down your ribcage, dull frantic thud-

I’ve done it again,

Left an empty hole in the middle of your chest

Maybe there was something there before

What I wish adults would understand

is that teenagers are just trying to find their place

in this messed up world.

Mom, I'm not trying to be rude to the house guests.

Legally I am an adult.

18 going on 19.

According to most,

I still am a teen.

According to most,

I don’t seem like 18.

According to me,

I don’t think I’m ready to be an adult.

I hold my secrets in the shape of stars,

constellation-clustered candy like flaming balls of gas.

Sometimes they have five points.

Sometimes six.

Always, they burn

in that space inside your head

I went to the LGBTQ+ youth center for the first time.

For a year 

I stared at the website, 

wanting nothing more than to go.

When I finally went, on a Wednesday,

I keep wondering if something is wrong with me,

Because I can’t seem to understand.

And I don’t want to be the person that only writes about crushes and drama,

I’m not shallow don’t worry.

Yet here I am,

always carry your keys between your middle and ring finger

never have your wallet visible

don't listen to music in public

everyone's a stranger

you're our child; don't scare us.

I promised you I would always stay,

swore on a bond I thought would never break.

Then came a time everything conflict

but I meant every word, every bit of it.