Reid@YWP

I made tea this morning.

I put the leaves in, watching the steam dance with childlike wonder.

I returned to my laptop, staring at a half finished chapter, the bags under my eyes more apparent than ever.

Protest after protest,

chant after chant. 

I watch and listen

as people continuously fight for their rights.

But the fighting should’ve been over

on July 4th, 1776

when it was declared that

It's 12:34 AM on July 5th, 2025 and I still see fireworks going off in the sky.

I hear the booms, the bangs, the commotion of endless fireworks

going on for hours

still raging

on a brand new day.

blow out your candles. 

make a wish.

hold up a protest sign.

tonight the fireworks spell R E S I S T.

your hair's in pigtails braided red blue and white.

It's the fourth of July 

which usually means fun and excitement and cool parades to avoid when driving around 

but this year, 

this year is not a fun fourth of July 

This year I didn’t lay out an outfit for the fourth,

This year I wore all blue

I didn’t want to represent the other side,

Not today.

This year we didn’t go to the parade