This poem is one of my strongest poems that I have written. I truly hope that my message is spread and leads to change in our world.

Teach me to have a voice, but keep my mouth shut
Teach me to be strong, but don't use my strength
Teach me to see the weak, but don't help them
Teach me to look at wrongs, but don't make them right

Tell me to stay away from problems, but complain when they aren't fixed
Tell me to be on one side, but complain about bias
Tell me to acknowledge the helpless, but don't talk about them
Tell me to be grateful, but mess everything else up

How can I be grateful,
When the world I fear fears me,
When the world I love loathes me,
When the world I seek leaves my grasp and my dreams?

Why should I only dream?
Why can't I make a change?
Because I live in a nightmare. 
Because I'm taught to stay put. 

Why am I a danger to society when I haven't done any wrong?
Why are the powerless seen as harmful and horrible?
Why do people defend those who hurt others?
Why can't I live in a society that's perfect?

They shun my belief in god
"If god is so good, why doesn't god fix anything?"
Because God is Perfect. We are not. 
It's not God's responsibility to fix what God's creations ruined.

Our God can't help us if we can't help ourselves 
Our rights go down the drain the second they matter
Our lives are ruined the second they get better
Our world only fuels those who didn't start the fire

How can I learn if I am not taught?
It's not my fault, but it is
How can I live knowing I can't change a thing?
If I speak, I'm dangerous to you all. 

Teach me to look, but never point out
Teach me to hear, but never listen
Teach me to watch, but never act
Teach me to talk, but never speak

Process

I wrote this poem in April 2024. I was watching the news and I painted a statement on a badge I wanted to wear to school to silently show support for a movement. I was told not to wear it in public and to leave it home, because people’s reactions would differ and could potentially be dangerous to me. I was devastated but I understood. To help me express my emotions about this situation, I wrote this poem on a whim, and I am incredibly proud of it.