The Risk

Speaking my mind is a risk


But it is a risk worth taking


I want to change the world, create a new awakening


Equality is not justice but if we give justice to all, we may just be equal


Why is it that


I am from the dirt, to the trees, to the angry dogs in my neighborhood of poverty


From where the lights go off at 10 and the sirens go on at 11


But why? Why me?


Why did I not get the safe neighborhood?


The one where my fears rest as I sleep and my guard goes down along with the sun


Too many dogs, too many drunks, I refuse to leave my house for a run


I see the birds caged in my home, singing for freedom


As do I


 Daddy’s arms were the safest place I could be


But this society taught me the word safety is simply a state of mind


My mind tells me optimism is the best was to live


But my world tells me otherwise


If I am not a realist than I am wasting my time


My brain tells me “you could be anything you want”


As I sit there realizing it is not as easy as it sounds


My entire life I was told college was the answer


I was never told I would be put in a lifetime of debt


Our government so corrupt


Lying to these kids telling them they could be whatever they want


But I cannot be destroyed


I carry a shattered heart but imperishable optimism


My mind tells me success comes from constant political activism


Because our constitution states “we the people”


Yet we the people are too scared to speak up


I speak my mind as I take the risk one day becoming hopeless


But I doubt that will happen, I am already a mess

Comments

Additional Resources

Get AI Feedback on your poem

Interested in feedback on your poem? Try our AI Feedback tool.
 

 

If You Need Support

If you ever need help or support, we trust CrisisTextline.org for people dealing with depression. Text HOME to 741741