Why do I have to live in a world in fear?
Everyday I look at schools, worried that children might not be safe.
Men and women, entering schools, holding dangerous weapons such as guns and knives, ready to kill innocent children.
I shouldn’t need to always have my phone with me just to text my mom that something is happening.
We shouldn’t have to have drills for intruders just because messed up people have the motivation to kill other kids.
I don’t want to live in fear.

Why do I have to live in a world in fear?
Everyday, when I wear a men’s suit or any masculine clothing, I worry people would hate and judge me.
Just because of the people I love, it means that I can’t live a life that I always dreamed of having.
I shouldn’t need to be ready to curse out a random person who is being a homophobe or being disrespectful to me just because I look and love different things and people.
We shouldn’t be kicked out of public spaces just because we love and identify as different people.
I don’t want to live in fear.

Why do I have to live in a world in fear?
Everyday, I wonder that in my neighborhood, there might be another shootout that could affect my friends and my mom.
I don’t want to be robbed or be threatened to be killed by a criminal for some reason.
I shouldn’t have to be ready at all times to fight for my life and my mom’s life.
We shouldn’t have to get cameras and alarms to make sure our family is safe.
I don’t want to live in fear.

Why do I have to live in a world in fear?
Everyday, there could be black people being harassed and killed just because of the color of their skin.
If a person starts being racist to me, I don’t know what to do. If I curse them out and defend myself, I could be looked at as a threat. If I stay quiet, I’ll be affected more, showing my weakness and could be beaten or worse, killed.
I shouldn’t have to be scared of people who hate the color of my skin.
We shouldn’t have to be worried of being the next black person hurt or killed.
I don’t want to live in fear.

Why do I have to live in a world in fear?
Stories from my mom and others talking about being sexually assaulted, I don’t want to be next.
Whether it be a teacher, a “friend of my mom’s”, anyone.
I don’t want to be another statistic on people being assaulted, which by the way shouldn’t even be a statistic
I shouldn’t need to be aware of my surroundings around men and women who could potentially hurt me or my mother.
We shouldn’t have to bring pepper spray or keys to defend ourselves.
I don’t want to live in fear.

I shouldn’t be writing and speaking out in this poem.
If it wasn’t for the messed up people that are on this planet today, there could’ve been peace.
Clearly, peace isn’t what they want.
They want people to fear them.
They want fear to control the minds of innocent souls who have to deal with stuff like this.
I don’t want to live in fear. I shouldn’t have to live in fear.
We shouldn’t live in fear.


Written: August 21, 2023