A heady mix, indeed

Youthful exuberance

The passion of a ‘just cause’

A growing understanding that life isn’t fair 

Increasing Rage because it should be

First - or second hand – trauma

The whole gestalt of news and print media fixated on their every word.

I can only hope the teenagers in FLA are also surrounded

by grounded adults 

who will help them through their grief,

and comfort them 

when the enormity of the obstacles they’re up against starts to dawn.

It simply doesn’t take one week of protests
to change decades of policy;

even what feels like a tipping point
can be swung back 

with the other heady mix

of money, power and tradition.

Attention by the press doesn’t make you an activist;

it may be a start;

but it takes years of showing up to vote 

in every election,

decades of life choices about vocation, 

how to spend your money,

what you value and honor with your time,

the people with whom you surround yourself etc.

Not only the intrinsic sadness of the situation 

but recognition of the monolith
 that keeps us imprisoned 

in a death loving culture

has been exhausting to witness this week

I am SO far removed from their innocence and passion…

living proof today that life can wear you down.

My heart aches.