I went to Boston this weekend and ran into the March for Our lives in the Boston Common. I was so touched as I wandered through thousands of people, old and young, big and small, white and black, and everything in between holding signs demanding change in the form of gun control.
A true gathering of community led by our youngest members of society. I left crying for the state of our world and the fact that our leaders no longer listen to the pleading of children, turning their backs and closing their eyes to the violence the United States inflicts upon itself.
It was devastating and at the same time, incredibly hopeful as I came across groups of school children with their makeshift signs shouting for change.
I couldn’t help feeling my heart grow as I looked upon this powerful and diverse group of children and thought, I am hopeful, for this is our future.
A poem inspired by the event:
Look at these children and tell me what do you see?
tears well to my eyes
as I feel a surge of sadness, hope, and pride
for our future.
These children –
standing atop mounds of trampled dirt snow
rising higher then than the “grown-up” footsteps
that stamped their mark
of bigotry, and hatred, and violence
leaving the steps of what they “know”.
the weight of the world
now rests on their small shoulders
demanding a stop to this man-made violence.
they must get off the slide,
stop chasing each other around the playground
and turn to the streets
marching with their size two feet
for action.
for change.
It’s time to turn the next page.
I see our future
their messages are colorful
and shout loud from their markers and papers
the only armor they need
is through their heart
not from an AR-15
“arm me with the arts”
“arm me with poetry”
for they know the true value
of words.
I see a group of strong individuals
no matter their color
no matter their class
no matter their size
they unite together.
when will these “grown-ups” take a leaf out of their book?
when will we learn to look less, listen more?
Mermaid Musings 