Gali

You spend most of your childhood wanting to grow up. You dream of all the things you'll do, the people you'll meet, the freedom of a life where you are the captain of your own ship.

“I can make it hurt,”

My sister’s mouth uttered these words,

as she raised her pickle ball paddle to threaten my brother

My siblings have always had their moments,

where they would fight as if they were opponents

Four buzzes 

Wake me up, 

Loud in the quiet 

Dark. 

A seconds-long debate 

In my head 

My name is Amelia.  

I am 17 years old 

And I am afraid for my future. 

I am tired of old men 

Deciding how I will live,  

Determining the world in which 

She's finally ahead in the presidential race. The way my hope lifted when I heard that news. And the disbelief on my face? How, after ten months? I was sure I was going to be screaming from my porch on election day, "Why, why?

Who am I? 

Am I Californian or Indian? 

I'm from California, but I also come from Indian descent. 

When I choose one over the other, it feels I'm downplaying how important the other is to me.