𝔄 𝔰𝔬𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔫𝔢𝔡 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔬 𝔞 𝔭𝔬𝔢𝔪: 𝔄𝔪𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔞𝔫 𝔗𝔢𝔢𝔫𝔞𝔤𝔢𝔯, 𝔈𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔩 ℭ𝔞𝔦𝔫
Smiles plastered across innocent faces,
eyes stuffed into glossy magazines,
and Dale everywhere.
A wide-eyed, red-white-and-blue bleeding teenager
praying to the abyss.
An astronaut, a politician, a soccer champion,
and a future, life-saving veteran.
Hearts swollen with lies,
while lives are stolen
by the "American dream".
I, within the hurtful darkness,
scribbled poetry and songs everywhere,
and a mind full of the truth.
With the grass poking my legs
at this stomach-stabbing stadium
I can't help but think
how ephemeral the euphoric chase
of a dream is.
With poisoned words,
say what you want.
But at least say it with your chest
and bloody fist in the air.
A lasting war and your
kids could end up there.
They'll give it a day
and say "I'm done."
With acidic tears staining the bleachers,
I pray for some closure.
and now, I'm moving all my faith
in the bad news.
I'm only good
'cause I have to.
Mama squeezes me and asks me where I've been.
I say I'm all good out here.
It's just not my year!
Shaky hands pressed over a girl's head,
and a woozy stomach.
Fallacies shake from her lips
and eyes watch, all connected to faces.
Little do they know, she was wasted.
An empty promise sewn with
bloody strings,
if you work hard,
you'll inherit the stars!
But the fabric is withering,
rot at the seams.
Grind, work, and be yourself,
even with that picture-perfect mold
displayed on every network,
with those pre-packaged personas.
March until your feet break
just for you to make a small dent
in the one you aspire to be.
So young, so many emotions to feel.
"God, are you there?
Just save me,
I hate that I'm here.
Just don't forget me
all the way up there."
Stand up and respect
the people who "built this land
From the bottom to the tip-top!
Soak in our freedom!"
A mouthed pledge
and wandering eyes,
pledge my allegiance to freedom
through violence.
I am your American teenager.
