Let's do it for the Kids

Let's do it for the Kids

Will I remember
how I've been treated?
bashed?
and defeated?
Will I remember
the people?
the places?
and the distinct faces?
Will I remember
the moments of joy?
anxiety?
pride?


Will I remember?
And place in myself
these things and not forget?
And keep them always
and remember how I felt?
feel?
and empathize?
and have been destroyed?


How can I know?
I want to know
that I will
I feel it's my responsibility now
to remember
and to put into action-
and into motive
to speak with the knowing
so that others do not feel treated the way I've been treated
and for them to know-
for them not to know,
since I remember
and I can stop myself from becoming an aggressor
so they do not have to put into boxes and shelves
the feelings I feel now.

Let us remember
Let us not forget
Let us take in our lessons
Let us use our lessons
Let us use and use and use
so others may not have to
so others can learn through us
better us
evolve us
and surpass us
and take up us when we are old.

Because I remember,
do you?
do they?
They will
and be grateful
you did too.

-Matthew Koutzun