I was born different
I believe in science
Yet is it defiance?
Some call it angst
I say it’s strength

You can be different
Your parents can have opinions
Yes you’ve lived in their dominion
But you can do what you want
Don’t let them give you a haunt

I can have a distinct thought
Because I am not their bot
Religion, career, goals
Afterlife, love, friends, souls

I am strong in the way I speak
I am proud that I am unique
No one can put words in my mouth
For example, North, West, East, South

I can make this a short poem
I can make the rhyme scheme open
I can make stanzas parallel
Or make this syllable swell

Or this poem could be longer
Making my words even stronger
This poem has no distinct sound
But isn’t that what makes it pound

Five, five, four, four, four, four
Maybe this stanza will have even more

Is it wrong to take from myself?
Stealing straight from my bookshelf
“Got to think, got to focus”
“Or my life will go unnoticed”
I think it is mostly alright
It’s fine if I take what I write

So what is this poem’s message?
It seems pulled out of a wreckage
Words mismatched, lines have been detached
The focus scratched, but the theme patched?

Here it is
Was no quiz
It can be hard
Life can be scarred
Yes, you were born rare
Show it if you dare

It’s not okay
Cause nothing can repay
What he took from you on that day

Don’t take that loss
Get your point across, cause
Sometimes you have to be the boss

He did the wrong
Yes, the fight might take long
But I know you will win, you’re strong

The world can take
What great things you can make
But now everything is at stake

Leave the backseat
Because you are not weak
Take what is yours, it is unique

It’s not okay
Cause nothing can repay
What he took from you on that day

Some people think I like to eat tomatoes
They say I like all the fruits--that there is true
But to those red shiny fruits--I will always give "no's"

Just a few decades ago, it seemed odd
Everyone stuck with their meats, dairies, and wheats
But the times have changed, enemies abroad, everyone eating the food of their god

I would like to make it clear right now
I love those who eat these with their peas
I have dreamed of the round, vibrant skin--giving out a wow

I would never want to offend
Only to give my love to thereof
And I will promise to always give them a lend, to be their friend

To all those people like me
Who won't eat any veggie
Thank those today with a word of okay so their lives aren't so heavy

Both parties align on either side of the bridge
Now they inch to the center to meet face to face
If they fall, there's a tall, 200 foot ridge

Once they reach the middle, they gain back their haste
They're now yelling, not pleading--like a clown
Wanting what they want, "All else is a waste"

People on the edge yell, "shoot 'em down"
"This is 'Merica! We don't want em"
"Burn this bridge down and let them drown"

A couple screams--Ken and Karen
And one from the crowd steps on
Few will let him be condemned

He says he has a vision
"It's a new kind of bridge"
Holds knife there upon

Not looking, unhinged
Not looking, bows
Rights are infringed

It is now
going
down

I saw a young man die
And I tried not to cry
But that look in his eye
We couldn’t say goodbye

I saw a white woman scream
Of her BLM dream
With a black and white team
Now just running on steam

I saw a strong man kneel
Then they forced him to heel
Couldn’t feel his ideal
Oh now watch them reel

I used to do nothing
Neither huffing, nor puffing, or even discussing
But that there is wrong
It is doing such harm
For being neutral
Is giving the world very, very little

It had drizzled before
But this time, it was darker even more
Barely any light
This time it looks like it is going to pour
Nothing good in sight
Everything feels like a chore

This sun is away
It is getting darker every day
And the rain is getting harder

This feels like the center of the storm
Everything now feels warm
I now feel happier than ever
No feeling, whatever

Uh oh, the clouds are back
I stepped on a tack
Have an arch in my back
Got punched in the sack
Felt a smack
I need to attack
My life’s a wreck
Oh my neck

I have to think, got to focus
Or my life will go unnoticed
The rain is pounding even harder
My life is off kilter

O now I see the light
I am such a delight
It is getting better
I am now less wetter

Oh now the storm is back
I stepped on a tack
Have an arch in my back
Have I said this before
Oh, I’m a bore
Oh no, I’m not sad
I promise, I’m not sad
Look I’m smiling
I’m not crying

It’s just that the rain is piling
The clouds are compiling
Nothing is exciting
I’m simply surviving
No, I’m not lying
Wow was that lightning

The storm struck him
Now, it’s not so grim
Yes he died, he got fried
But please try to stay alive
Give your friends a yelp or a whelp
If you are struggling, go seek help

You can speak
It’s alright
You’re not weak
Have no fright

Be joyful
Be proud
Be loyal
Be unbowed

For this is your life
Make it amazing
Forget any strife
Trails-a-blazing

It’s alright to be quiet
I have certainly tried it
Just find a way to be heard
Fly around you free bird

I don’t like to speak, but love to write
If I could, I would do it all night
Cause I have found my voice by my choice
Now rejoice and make your loudest noise

For this is your life
Make it amazing
Forget any strife
Trails-a-blazing

And there should be no pressure
Sometimes your under-weather
Just follow this short advice
Go right now, take back your life

I hope this has helped
You and all yourself
This is my poem
Maybe write your own