Honore_J

I am sixteen I am asked, every day, to have an opinion, An opinion on something that I can’t do anything about, Yet. I’m asked what I think, And I think because I’m asked And I’m not sure how to tell you but, I don’t know how to tell you.

I don’t know if what I think is what I think Or if it is what others think for me? And I’m not sure why you’d want my opinion anyway. My experiences I use to back up my ideas Are slim. That is why I don’t want to tell you. I’m afraid That my words will be harsh and strong For something that I know little about.

Yet Here’s what I think Because I do think. Even if I don’t feel too strongly, Yet. I live in the type of government Where I one-day will vote for A leader. I live in the type of government Were I will pay about half of what I earn To the man. Today I am part of this government. But I hope to be //a// part of this government. I hope to appreciate my freedoms, more than I do today.

For now, We wait.

Our country is so good because We’re satisfied. ‘You’re freer and taught better and eat more and have better clothes and are cleaner and healthier’ we’re told. I’m satisfied. Aren’t you? But if we’re so great, then how come? How come we can’t be so great without pushing them aside Out of the way, and Out of the country?

Please remain standing for a moment of silence. Odd phrase. This silence is why we are yelled at We, the learners and supporters, For not standing for a unit of time? So should I stand Or why am I asked to And still, why don’t we? I’ve given up on them because they forgot To give us reasons. I don’t think about what the silence is, Just what it is for. I already know. The silence is for the difficult decisions Made by the someone who makes far more money Than he or she can spend. For each and every Native who doesn’t understand The meaning of the word native Because of us. It means they were here first. Silence is for space and the trees and the habitats that are gone To make room for Wal-Marts and trailer parks and smoke stacks Still killing more habitats.

Silence is for them too: The scientists and authors and stepparents and doctors Who make this country “good.” ‘We are good!’ we plead. We have the people to prove it. We are the people.

We are the people who’s fathers were thinkers. They were planners and educators, Starters and builders, They were writers and they were creators. They were do-ers. And we are just here, living off of what they have instituted. As I get older I’m taught The faults of our empire of superiority. I’m taught all the wrongs and Each one is over exaggerated For a reason So someone will want to fix it. Not enough vote or pay taxes. Too many live off of government money. The only people in any position are only power hungry. The planet is polluted. Animals go extinct. Wait! It’s still working! Here, in my home I can watch it happen and tell you. Through my flat screen TV I can see To tell you about the polar bears dying and the Ten dollars I sent, well, To make me feel good. But it, our country and society, It’s all still working, so Don’t try to make it better.