Riding in the truck
Sun warming my face
Hands folded in my lap
Soft music playing
Sun bounces its light
off shiny vehicles
into my retinas
Carrying people
somewhere
Across the ocean
an explosion
undoes
a family
Pieces of their life
found
when the dust settles
Because
somewhere
someone decided
power
was worth more
than life
Shiny vehicles aren’t driven
roads aren’t smooth
money isn’t spent on mulch
or anything
Miles away
a child’s stomach twists
aching with hunger
mouth cotton
lips sticking
tongue yearning for water
Down the street
a mother struggles
to find warm clothes
for her child
something to fill
their stomach
But I won’t
eat my plum
with the skin on
And I wonder
why I’m able
to buy mulch
to make my yard pretty
To ride
in this truck
on smooth roads
My kids safe
fed
warm
My worry—
gas is up
soda
a dollar more
I hate to say I’m thankful
because that would mean
I’m chosen
special
better
I’m not
I’m just…
born into privilege
To ride in this truck
on this road
and think
about all of
this
I squeeze my eyes shut
swallow the lump
whisper to the universe
for those whom
Can’t afford hope
Mar 31
Mar 31, 2026 at 1:41 PM UTC
Riding in the truck
Sun warming my face
Hands folded in my lap
Soft music playing
Sun bounces its light
off shiny vehicles
into my retinas
Carrying people
somewhere
Across the ocean
an explosion
undoes
a family
Pieces of their life
found
when the dust settles
Because
somewhere
someone decided
power
was worth more
than life
Shiny vehicles aren’t driven
roads aren’t smooth
money isn’t spent on mulch
or anything
Miles away
a child’s stomach twists
aching with hunger
mouth cotton
lips sticking
tongue yearning for water
Down the street
a mother struggles
to find warm clothes
for her child
something to fill
their stomach
But I won’t
eat my plum
with the skin on
And I wonder
why I’m able
to buy mulch
to make my yard pretty
To ride
in this truck
on smooth roads
My kids safe
fed
warm
My worry—
gas is up
soda
a dollar more
I hate to say I’m thankful
because that would mean
I’m chosen
special
better
I’m not
I’m just…
born into privilege
To ride in this truck
on this road
and think
about all of
this
I squeeze my eyes shut
swallow the lump
whisper to the universe
for those whom
Can’t afford hope
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