Trying.

My heart aches,

Because some of the people I love,

Friends, family-

Fail to have the empathy,

That the world so desperately needs.

Is their blind eye,

Due to a lack of strength,

A lack of self-respect,

Or

Deep seeded hate for others?

Because we are past the point of ignorance, 

Quickly slipping into compliance,

And there is no turning back.

What is happening now, will forever shape our future as a nation, as a world, as a human race.

We will either burn this reality to the ground, 

Or save what humanity we have left with our dying breaths.

There is no "business as usual;"

There is no "just wait it out,"

You are either on the right side of history, 

Or the wrong side,

And as history repeats itself, complicity is on the wrong side.

You may think your silence is safety,

But when they come for you, 

Just know this: 

This is what you asked for. 

When it is your mother, sister, brother, father, son, daughter or friend- this is what you stood by.

You stood by a nation that fed you lies,

To further indebt you to your servitude. 

"Be good, little girl, shut up... just take it."

If you operate in fear,

You will be overcome by paralysis, 

Just as they want you to. 

It is time to tune in,

Not tune out.

Tune into your gut,

Your conscience,

Your heart-

Think freely-

With love, grit, and your inner fire.

The truth lies within,

Not without.

And,

I hope you rise.

I hope you find your strength.

I hope you find it in time,

To save what humanity we have left.

Because, so many of us are trying.