To the racial remarks: we're all one race - the human race. To the discriminant: don't live the lie that you're superior - we're all just human beings. To the stereotypes: silly sayings don't define someone, not even in the slightest. To supporters: seek light and see if what spurs you is worthy or even righteous. To those in denial: Wake up and seek wisdom - may your ignorance wear off. To the independent: families broken are dependents isolated - individuals internally lost. To the prosecutor: if you were victimized, how would you feel? To the victims: voice yourselves - your vulnerability can be used as a virtue. To the impacted parents and children: continue to climb this mountain, and maybe America will consider your cries. To the next generation: sorry my generation, in many ways, has already failed you... To the next generation: do better than us, and by doing so, you'll prevail too...

Your scent lingers
on my pale skin,
and when I inhale
I do not feel the
suffocating weight
of solitude.

With our hands and a light we built a castle to keep us safe,
and hide us from the thoughts of death that haunt us in our sleep

Brick by brick we pushed the demons out of the dark parts of our minds,
with each brick engraved with a poem - that helps us stay alive

With our hands and a light we built a door with a lock,
to let lost souls into our kingdom and to block out the thoughts

Refugees come to the sanctuary to sleep and to stay,
until the sun climbs from behind the trees and starts another day

With my hands and a light I held a paper and a pen,
I wrote a poem to the world to let them know they have a friend

And they can all build castles too,
and feel safe in their thoughts,
remember that you are not alone,
and that it's US against the dark