We the People’s Weather Report

The atmosphere shifted in ninth grade.
Thunderstorms controlled the air.
As if an anvil
heaviness darkened the halls
the classrooms
the school bus.
The electricity of destruction led the campaign.
You’re not one of us.
You’re not from here.
I’ll show you.
The lightning of offense
collision of contempt
and tornado of labels
engulfed the girl
altered her biology.

When atmospheres fueled by hostility target difference
traumatize vulnerable populations
how do We the People transform the trajectory of harm
reform human thunderheads to a stratosphere
of calm
safety
and acceptance?

Does it matter where we were born or what we look like?

As if a feather
lightness enlivened the halls
the classrooms
the school bus.
The warmth of sunshine led the collective.
You’re one of us.
You’ll love it here.
I’ll show you the joy of cumulus clouds
where together we’ll spot puffy animals.
Oh look
a rabbit!
Do you see it?