before i learned to breathe

For the others

I couldn't believe it had happened,

I would cry,

and cry,

and cry.

And you told me

he can't touch us,

you told me,

I'd be fine.

But I wasn't just crying for me,

I was crying for the others.

I was crying for the people

who would lose their rights,

their justice,

the most important of fights.

I cried for the ones who were 'different',

for the people of color,

for the people who were out,

and for those of us who weren't.

I cried for the minorities,

for the refugees,

the Muslims,

and the women.

I cried for everyone

who would suffer

from his 'leadership'.

And now,

I'm crying

because of the people who decided to take a stand,

I'm crying out of happiness,

out of pride,

for those of us with strength,

for those of us refusing to stay silent,

refusing to step aside.

I cry for the ones,

who refuse to bend,

even though it feels like the end.

And I have hope,

with the support of all of you,

because we can still grow,

we can continue to be strong,

and carry on.

The future

is still unknown.