Death

Death is such a frightening word, but its reality and the only thing we are guaranteed. A fetus growing inside of a female body isn't guaranteed to be born, but it is guaranteed to die, sooner or later one way or another. Death is what we live for We don't live to achieve our goals or to fulfill our dreams, we live one day at a time hoping we live to see the next. Sooner or later when hope is gone, we're dead - guaranteed. Think about it... if we don't live to die, then what do we live for?

The Dead Canary

Privy your petty
and drink your words
ignorance is your virtue
How dare you throw cinders in my face
and burn my terrace
to defend your fences
With the building anguish of hate
that fills the hollows of my rib cage
you have now 
exhausted
my very breath
No more will you burn me down 
I will dust your name from my mantle 
and the lock the cage.
The looking glass is broke

Colin Kaepernick - My Opinion

You encourage people to stand up for up for what they believe in even if it means risking everything, but what did you risk? You risked a career that you already made millions of dollars in, so if you lost "everything" your family would be fine and no hardship would be met. Would you have risked your career before it started to "Stand up for what you believe in"? What about someone like me that lives paycheck to paycheck and even a sick day is something i cant afford, do i still risk everything because your slogan told me to? What injustice are you really fighting for? The only changes that I have seen are your bank account, Nike sales and your image. We all want to change something and fight for change, but risking everything! Would you open your front door and walk out with only the clothes on your back and not look back to fight the injustice you so strongly seek? I didn't think so. I guess your words are just that, words!

You said that this issue is bigger than football and it is, but racial injustice has been an issue for hundreds of years, why all of a sudden would it be selfish for you to stand for a flag that oppresses black people and minorities. Our flag is not oppressing people, people are oppressing people. Our flag is giving you the freedom to speak and be heard. Lives of young men and women have been lost to give you that freedom, that right and you want to disrespect everything they fought and died for, wouldn't you say that's pretty selfish of you? If you really want to make a difference and actually stand for what you believe in then don't be afraid to rattle cages and knock down doors, stand in the streets with your fists raised, actually fight for justice instead of kneeling for attention. Kneeling during a football game is seasonal, but actually starting a movement, that's history. 

"Our flag is not oppressing people, people are oppressing people, our flag is giving us the freedom to change it - know the difference"

Untitled (on purpose)

The feeling of the rush behind me

cool wind slightly brushing my skin

untouched

I am unnoticed

The roar of life below

passing me by

unaware of my existence

I am unseen

Judged by no one

my vulgar screams of self expression 

unheard

I am alone

Only the night at my side

silence no longer evades me

finally unbroken

I am free

Alone, Gone

Deserted
embraced by the night
walking alone among empty shadows
thoughts are heavy and anxious
I have been here before
reaching and reaching
Alone.

Unheard cries 
a beating heart has stopped
misery is not longer the monster
light has turned to dark 
and life no longer invades me
Gone.

A hanging soul
and lifeless body
faceless shadows dance around me
darkness speaks 
but no words are heard 
nothingness surrounds me
Do you see me now?

Unknown Life

Soiled face and tattered clothes

shoes with worn out soles

With no destination only a journey

you walk alone

You are invisible

not seeked upon

or noticed

where are you?

A past known only to you

and struggles not meant for the weak

those who pass you are blind to what 

they choose not to see.

A man standing, not begging.

Who are you?

A life unknown

A man unknown

Stand for Change - My Opinion

School shootings are an unspeakable tragedy and no child, teacher or persons should be afraid to go to school. Our children should be able to learn without fear and parents should not have to worry when their child walks through the school doors. Enough is enough when children are afraid to learn. School used to be a safe haven for children to escape, but when that is taken away: change needs to be made and made now!            

We have students and parent speaking out and demanding to be heard and wanting change to be made, but what change are you expecting to be made? I admit we do have an issue on our hands, but the issue is not guns, its us. So many times we turn a blind eye to issues that do not pertain to us because we feel its not our fight or its not our problem, but it is your fight and it is your problem. If you're standing up for something and demanding to be heard, stand up for the cause and not because it hits home or happened to someone you know or love. What exactly are you standing up for, gun control or because you're mad that it is now affecting you? Where was your voice when the last school shooting happened to students you didn't know - where was your voice then?    

I think the bigger issue is a mental health issue and the lack of reporting suspicious behavior. In several statements students commented that this student showed signs of trouble and one student commented "I knew he would do something like this" Are you kidding me, if you knew then why didn't you report it, where was your voice then? Instead of teaching our teachers how to fire a gun, teach them something far more valuable, how to help someone who shows signs of distress, suspicious behavior, bullying or even depression. Arm them with the knowledge to prevent an attack instead of killing when being attacked. 

Exercising your Freedom of Speech right to take away our Right to Bear Arms is not fair. The students who carry out these unspeakable acts are not even old enough to own a gun, but yet they still obtain them. How will you taking away our 2nd Amendment keep guns out of these children's hands? Everyone is jumping to blame the issue on guns but that gun did not kill those students, the student killed those students. If a gun is out of our hands it harms no one, but when its picked up the shooter is the killer, blame the shooter, not the gun. Do you think every person who has a gun is registered, of legal age or mentally stable enough to own or operate a gun, no but taking away someones right will only encourage and entice them to obtain them even more.                        

I'm all for people strongly standing up for something and fighting to make a change, but the fight should be an ongoing issue until progress and change is made and not died out and picked up again when it hits home. Don't stand stand up and demand to be heard if you are going to mute your voice when your fifteen minutes of fame is up. If you are not willing to keep standing, then remain seated.