street sweeper

the parade is gone

the reality remains

hiding from the truth

seeking freedom from chains

the fight

it doesn’t end

we will fight

for the rest of our lives

to exist

to mend

the families

torn

pain so deep

it turns to scorn

fight for our lives

fight to survive

the parade is gone

but we still live

we still encounter barriers

we’re still discriminated against

fight to live

we still fight to live

fight to face

another

day

another fight

to give

the love

we may

not have received

it seems the

the fight will never end

if you’re blessed

you have acceptance

friends

family

still

the fight

never ends

because so many are killed

because others deserve

the same as you

and

their pain

you cannot

turn a blind eye to

what if it were you?

what is my experience?

not hers…

my daughter is on the spectrum

in more ways than one

for the longest time

she could not speak

and once she could

she would told me

“i'm a girl”

i thought it was play

echolalia

monkey see

monkey do

and most of her life

she would see

she would play

she would be

with girls

deep down i knew

but wanted to be sure

i knew her life

would already be

a struggle

but i was okay

i was worried

i still worry

for her safety

but i'm okay

it doesn't matter

whether or not

i am anyway

all that matters

is that she be true

to herself

this

i will always

encourage her to do

i wrote emails

made sure the school knew

so that she would be respected

so that she would be protected

out of my view

as she enters puberty

and gets taller and taller

(she doesn't get that from me)

i get smaller and smaller

only physically

for she has now

made me strong

i stand tall for her

because it's getting harder

for her

to find the clothes

to help hide

so that it doesn't show

and still wear those

that make her glow

my daughter is on the spectrum

in more than one way

and has been denied healthcare

from many who pray

because they’re afraid

they wont let her stay

i will not allow

it to forever be

this way

it's time to move

to another state

this one is getting less friendly

by the day

the fires are burning downtown

there is no getting around

the new bill that has been signed

into place

sentences vague

vague To leave room

for umbrella interpretations

one vague sentence

can create

an epidemic

the wildfire spreads

the parade is gone

but the trash remains

and i hope

that we don't

pick it up in vain