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I grit my teeth tired of the only two choices being more inaction hope is a powerful fragile thing but I am not programmed for blind hope I am programmed for anger the world shakes its head and says “that’s not women’s work… not very mindful, not demure…” and I say “fuck you, my hope is only served as a side to my rage” anger is shoved deep within the throats of women stifled and choked down god forbid we let it out don’t show it burning just behind your eyes don’t let the tears sizzle and steam on your cheeks be calm be soft be gentle and most of all let your meekness persevere with hope glimmering on its coat tails fuck that cough up the anger slam your fist into the wall scream at the stars for dimming more and more as this man’s world keeps throwing its light pollution into the sky the product of a circle jerk of all the billionaires laughing at our demise your anger is a teacher one you’ve gagged and shoved into the closet of your chest a cedar coffin where hope with action goes to die let anger teach you how to hope with grit how to hope and do something when given the choice between hope and despair burn it all down, the screaming banshee that you are make them worry about how far your anger will let the fire go

“Do you have sad thoughts?” The screen flickers image after image First a body stronger than yours Then politics, the president standing among a red headed crowed He looks powerful After that, a meme you think your best friend would find funny It’s rapid, each image flipping to the next before a full thought can form The sounds rushing into your ears a snapping garbled cacophony of indiscernible nonsense Your eyes are clawed open There’s a strap around your forehead And several others securing your body But the men on the other side of the mirror are certain they’re unnecessary, you’ll stay docile “Do you need to be liked?” The voice asks as a funny cat video switches quickly to children dying around the world Then a supplement to make your shit not stink Then a protest Then an image flickers to life and recognition floods your mind You’re caught off guard You try to blink but your eyes wont close You try to look away but your head wont move You chance a look at the subtle shadows beyond the mirror The voice asks again “Do you have sad thoughts? Do you need to be liked?” The screen flickers and flickers and you cannot look away. You are not trapped in a room You lay in bed It’s your bed The screen is in your own hand You cannot look away

a long trail wandered sometimes well marked and heavily trod often times overgrown passing over vast granite slabs with little evidence of human interaction occasionally treacherous ledges along steep ridges furious roaring rivers to cross heavy rain freezing cold nights hunger pangs all this and tall redwoods swaying hundred year old hellos creatures scurrying through the undergrowth meadows with winding streams decorated in the colors of wildflowers rockfaces and ridges grander and more ornate that the most decorated temples and cathedrals night skies brimming with starlight swirling the galaxy like the last bits of cereal in your bowl of milk freezing lake plunges that bring life back into aching backs and smiles across crusty faces caked in dust and sweat trails and then after all that we get moments bursts of magic as we stand firmly at the top of the mountain or pass looking back at all the we’ve done a pause to see it was more than just bug bites and semi palletable food it was life… before we depart once more our next journey spreading out before us into the unknown