A Poem for Inauguration Day, 2021

As the U.S. celebrates the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, we at Pongo look forward to a more hope-filled and compassionate tone in national leadership to inspire Pongo’s work listening to and providing platforms for, the voices of youth often unheard or misrepresented in our society. Here’s one such example:

A Revolution for You and Me

by a young man at CFJC (King County Juvenile Detention)

When there’s change in the air, smelling like fresh cut lawn
or grandma’s fresh cooking,
I think it might be time for a revolution.

A revolution for myself would look like a young man
spreading his knowledge
with others who need it most.

Thinking about change like this, reminds me
of the time when Barack Obama got out the White House
cuz there was no role model—nobody.
All we had was a president who only cares about himself.
So we had to make a change ourselves
by stepping up, loving one another and accepting who we are.

A revolution to my friends and family
would have to be a peaceful marching,
peaceful gathering, a peaceful speech
that tells the whole world
about the ones that been hurt the most
and been held back
by the justice system—a bulldozer
for our hopes, and our children’s guidance.

A revolution for this country
would have to mean a bigger picture—non-violence,
spreading the love, spreading knowledge,
helping feed one another, heal one another.

A revolution for us could be positive
if we all have the right mindset, with no irrational mind.
Rather a wise mind than weak one
with somebody that’s not afraid to speak
when they’re told not to.
or the revolution could go bad
if we’re all just angry and upset about the past.
But I know, in this revolution, I’ll be a better man.