Flash back

I have a flash back
back a year and a half
I was at a protest
No masks because it was September
covid was not a thing
we sang chants
Standing up for the earth
shouting for a change
then they asked for volunters 
Volunters to go up on the steps
with thousands watching
and speak the truth
to speak for the earth
" you should do it!" 
my friends said to me
I did not know what to do
what would I say?
People spoke
and when I worked up the courage 
it was to late
How can you be an activist if you never act?
I may never get that chance again
to speak to such a crowd
to speak the unfiltered truth
because I had my chance
and I lost it.