Freedom and independence are not synonymous
We have many freedoms
But zero independence
Independence is freedom
Freedom is not independence
What we celebrate is a false holiday
It's a cheap *** excuse to drink
And set **** aflame
What we celebrate is a false holiday
Once meant to portray
Our braking away
What we celebrate is a false holiday
That makes life seem like a joke
Because we've conformed too much
I have the freedom to say whatever
I **** well feel like
But I am not independent from fear
Or tyranny
This is America
Land of the stupid
Home of hatred
Everywhere I turn I see
Persecution
Oppression
For religion, ***, and race
For orientations and confusions
For thought and for ideas
This is America
Not some fluffy dreamland
Like so many of us make it out to be
Yes I will be ready to admit
We are certainly freer than most
And yes, I will be ready to defend
My country with my words
But I can't sit on the sidelines
And just watch as my land falls to ****
"Happy Independence Day"
It breaks my heart that we have to declare a day
To recognize independence
It's a false independence we celebrate
I love the fireworks and the lightheartedness of it all
But it's *******
We shouldn't have to label a day
On a calendar
For historical emphasis
Woohoo Declaration of Independence
And all that jazz
But it no longer seems that way
Equality has never existed
This America, not an Aboriginal society
Pursuit of happiness is impossible
Because one person's happiness destroys another's
Liberty and justice for all?
Yeah right
Happy Independence Day to all who believe
But as for me
Independence my ***

I had planned on going out
To drink a little too much
To bury sense and love
Between the legs of lust and sin
I stopped at the bookstore
In between home and my night of debauchery
Drinking money in my wallet
Words in my hand

I nearly cried

Reminded of the injustice
That spreads its ugly colors
Throughout our human history
Just the thought of what so many had no choice but to endure
Just to survive day to day
The lives lost to hate and ignorance
Mothers grieving their children
Killed over nothing other than their color
The death toll only outweighed by the  burning blood of racism
Poets writing greater truths than lawmakers and politicians
Words filled with more love and compassion
Than the man wearing his false robes of god
Preaching condemnation while committing crimes against our children
Our ***** history at our fingertips
Sitting on the shelf
So much horror
So many more disgusting stories crammed and pressed between the pages
Not enough time in one life to read it all
My heart not big enough to forgive it all
And the only thing more haunting than the past
As I sit and look over these books
These lives
These minds
These hearts
Pages bleeding with pain and grief
As I look out the window on the second floor
Of this store

I nearly cry again

I see a world still stained
Still betrayed by hate
I see a world that hasn't
******* changed

I leave the store
My wallet empty
My heart heavy
Tears crawling out
And I drive back home

"The day I directed
That play in Spanish,
My stomach began to tighten."

I find it harder to smile everyday
Everyday
I find it harder to smile everyday
Everyday
Girl when I see your face
See your face
Oh girl when I see your face
See your face
I tell you you are the only one
Only one
I tell you you are the only one
Only one
Baby girl you aren't the only one
Only one
Baby girl you aren't the only one
Only one

☁️

This doesn't fit..
Where in the hell can I find one that fits?
Uhhh...
I know others have them,
some seem pretty obvious
but, I feel a great sorrow for them.
Although, I guess I should just go look in a mirror then, huh.?
I don't want to,
so I wont.
Not until I can find one that fits..

Do you have one?
Do you know where I can get one?
I need to know,
you see, people can just take it off
although, It's not reusable for anyone else,
It wont fit,
It only can for that one person.
Only them as an individual.

I've asked before,
In my own kind of way.
where they've gotten theirs
but, they seemed confused

"friends
people"

"You can't just get one,
why would you even want one?"

-I just do.

"Is it for you?"
"Is it for them?"

-Don't ask.

I leave and go home,
I should look in a mirror..
Maybe that will help determine a size.
I'm afraid to tho..
whenever I look, it's never the same as the pictures
not anymore.
why are the pictures on the wall so different?

-finally face to face

I feel my skin
I look in my eyes
although, every time I see another guy..

-wait...

I think I found one,
what I've been looking for,
and I've been wearing it all along,
masquerade I endure.

I try to take it off,
it's really sticking on tight.
The skin finally rips,
I see myself in sight.

The pictures looked the same again
just a little bit dim,
In fact that's the same face.
Its just always been hidden.

I couldn't believe it though,
That's what I looked like.
I almost forgot..

I've had what I was looking for,
a mask to cover my face.
What I didn't know was,
that the mask was fearsome itself.
Had it almost consumed me entirely,
While I was looking for a new one..
or one in general.

I can see my face again
all grey but, with circles of light around my eyes
a glimmer of hope.
I no longer see that other guy.
the mask can only fit once
so it's all okay.

This is the last thing I can say,

Just don't lose yourself under your own skin,
Always know there's another day.
Never forget there's another way.
To express towards others or yourself,
That you have the strength to admit for help.

Just look in the mirror
tell me what you see,
are you wearing a mask?
or are you free?