I'm Free

I’m free

Free to wake up to the news that once again, innocent people were gunned down in the streets

I’m Free

Free to know that crocodile tears will be shed from behind podiums until the next one happens

I’m Free

Free to know that will be long before these 6 bodies are cold

I’m Free

Free to watch millions of women shake with fear knowing that their body has fewer rights than a gun

I’m Free

Free to watch as grown men with wives and daughters turn their backs on them to protect an invented idea of liberty

I’m Free

Free to watch hard-working people lose their homes and die in the streets because healthcare is treated like the stock exchange

I’m Free

Free to know that the last words they’ll hear are “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” as they are stepped over by someone whose daddy bought them their first pair

I’m Free

Free to walk down the street and see yard signs and banners celebrating a traitor, a con artist, and a fearmonger

I’m Free

Free to know that before 2012, those same people wouldn’t piss on that Yankee if he was burning to death

I’m Free

Free to watch as a place I love so dear is divided by logic, science, and decency

I’m Free

Free to know that it’s been worse, but not to know if it’ll get better

But at least I’m Free

Happy 4th, everybody

‘Corey Ryan Forrester

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash