Chance (Poetry Collection)

#BLM

These are a few poems I wrote when the movement going strong on social media and I was feeling overwhelmed : /

Drowning in the Ocean of Society
Yes, the world should be flooded with information
but so what I don't add or repost it?
Why do I have to contribute to the broken record of society?
I'm one tiny plankton floating in an endless ocean
So what I don't shout it from the rooftops
or show the same video that already everywhere
Can't me knowing be enough?
"What if you're the one we're missing!"
"What if you're the one that puts us over the edge!"
I'm tired of what ifs!
I'm tired of the guilt you're trying to force down my throat
I can't breathe society
My head hurts from this endless cycle of negativity
For every article, video, post of the good in the world
there are two, three, four more to showcase the bad
Yes there needs to be a change
I know I can't just ignore it
but I'm not like you
Call me weak
Call me a coward
Call me whatever you like
But if you say my silence equals violence
you're wrong
If you say I'm siding with the oppressors because I'm not doing everything you are
you're wrong
I'm scared
of this Hell on Earth that's been created
of the demons we live with
of you angels and your strength
that I can't seem to find in myself
Every day you scream for your cause, for me to join you
Every day I wish I was a speck of dust
that could get lost even in the smallest room
I'm scared
I know everything won't just magically go away
if I just close my eyes and hope
So I'm sorry
I'm sorry I don't have your courage
to voice my opinions no matter the personal cost
to take a stand despite the risks
but I'm terrified of this world
and of myself
I'm terrified that I'll say something wrong
and just end up hurt
I'm terrified that I'm not worthy to join you
I'm terrified that in my attempts to help
I'll only make things worse
You're doing the right thing
but you make me feel powerless
And if you're plakton, just like me, then...
I'm terrified that even together...
we'll just be a meal for a hungry whale

Explain this to Me
I can't act as if I'll ever understand
but you say that protesting
that looting
that violence isn't the answer
But how is it not the only answer?
All we know is violence
drilled into our brains
and beaten into young bodies
So why is it when it's used against
y o u
it's wrong?

NO MORE
I've tired to play nice
I've tried to show kindness
but even with my hands raised
and my mouth sewn shut
you find a reason
to push me to the ground
to ignore my cries
to reinforce these stitches
But I'll break these bloody threads
red lines cut through history
and scream
N O M O R E

We'll Keep Playing
How can you judge me
for something you've never been forced to do?

You can't condemn my actions
just because you don't have to do the same

You can't say I'm wrong
just because you're too rigid to accept the truth

You can't silence my voice
just because you choose to plug your ears

Because I'm not alone

I am not just one person
marching in the street

I am not just one person
standing up for justice

I am not just one person
shouting from the lungs you try to choke

I am one instrument in a beautiful symphony
that won't stop playing if you just close your eyes