I Can’t Sleep - George McFarland

Visions of dead children

infiltrate my mind

Ukraine, Gaza, America

shot or bombed, they’re dead

because we refuse to take action.

I write these words in a notebook

no one will ever see

people agree with me, protests show

but my words on a page mean nothing

when the bombs keep dropping

and kids don’t feel safe in their classrooms.

I wonder my worth.

what good is my solidarity

if nothing changes?

what good is my vote

if the other guy still wins?

I can write until my hands bleed

people can say how much it resonates

but the politicians are still corrupt

and children are still killed every day.

That's why I can’t sleep.

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George is a sophomore at U-Albany, double-majoring in Communications and English. He has always loved writing as an outlet to express how he feels, either about a situation or a specific topic, and is excited to have his piece published in this semester's issue!