A New Decade

There's no excuse anymore

The past can no longer be my guide

The transitions

from child to teen

teen to young adult

seemed ever life-threatening

Too early I wonder

if my curiosity thwarted society's best intentions

Too early did I recognize society's hypocrisy

Equally optimistic and pessimistic

I find the challenges of adulthood

just as contrived and nauseating

Humanity seems stuck

between the corruption of old beliefs

and the vision of tolerance and peace

This new decade brings new challenges

a new selfishness

a new desire

This time is not for getting by

It's for inspiration

for educating myself in different ways

for truly believing

in my own views

my own principles

and standing up for them

This is not about destiny or fate

It's about claiming my life

While the power has always been there

the will to use that power has been subdued

held back for others' sake

It's a new decade

and I'm done holding myself back