When I Was Younger

When I was younger 

I was told to speak my mind 

be patient, be humble, be kind. 

When I was just a girl,

I was told one day I could rule the world.

Speak lound and clear,

so my voice could be heard 

but I was younger 

Times have changed.

Thats what my momma told me.

She said people don't wanna listen anymore.

They dont wanna hear a young woman speak up

or young man preach up 

about what he sees

a woman being beat 

innocent man shot in the street.

Said people want change 

but they dont show it 

tools are in their hands 

but they dont know it 

but I was younger then 

I was naive 

What have we come to? 

Money is a false god we worship and pray to

land of the brave home of the free

yet we are afraid of change and what we cannot see 

how could it be? 

 This is the land that taught me to be me

When I was younger 

I was taught to love 

love myself, love others

love all people of all shapes and colors 

but im older now 

Were blinded by eachothers looks 

choose to forget how to love 

rather spread hatred 

leave shivalry to worn pages of books 

blood is shed 

by bullets that we reak

go to war and kill for silence 

and mistake it for peace.  

When I was younger,

I looked to the future and saw light.

Now that im older,

I wish the future I could rewrite.