I Am

I Am By Leila Bourne, grade 12 I am Leila I am melancholy and empowered I wonder about the dreams of suffering refugees I hear the twinkling of pixie dust over a young child’s fading innocence I see atmospheric potions and elixirs I want everlasting freedom and the power to grant it I am melancholy and empowered I pretend that all of the world can find peace, even though people like Donald Trump exist I feel the dancing souls of those who dared to stand out I touch the thoughts of those deterred from following their dreams I worry about the intentions that America has for those it has tried to smother I cry for all the young people sent to war to fight a battle their elders started I am melancholy and empowered I understand that freedom is not real and some children will never look up at the sky and find serenity I say that the idea that we are all the same is poisonous because everyone deserves to be seen as an individual and unique I dream that little kids who look like me can one day see me and feel like they have someone to look up to. I try to think of ways I can be the change that those babies need to see in the world I hope for a meaningful life that will be able to soothe the aches of the ones I chose to love I am melancholy and empowered I am Leila