it is our turn

hold my hand
and i'll hold
yours
for it seems
we need each other

you call it
"connected"

similar stories
familiar life episodes
lived thousands
of miles apart

recently you showed me
the house you grew up in

you told me stories
as we drove from one memory to the next

down from your house
the corner
where
you and others
caught the bus

and the ditch
you knew
from the inside out

shoved
and taunted
you were pushed
into it

i know
that feeling

the stories of
unrest and unease

of bullies and
brats getting their way

you hold my hand
and i'll hold yours
for the time has
come
when we don't have to flinch
or hide

we are no longer
pawns to
those mean moments from the past

we now have each other
and it is our turn
to smile
and laugh
and enjoy

you hold my hand
and i'll hold yours

because we can
and we will

it is our turn
to live
and love

it is our turn

we are no longer
responsible for
the responses and the
reactions others have

we are no longer
required to
internalize
the fear and anger of others

we did that
we are done with that

it is our turn
to live
and love

it's our turn.