A Bright Future Poem by Averie Richardson

Everyone keeps moving
Keeps going toward that sight
That strange sight that's too bright for me to look at
But they all seem fine

"Why aren't you coming? "
I wish I could tell them

I didn't dream of seeing that light
I thought it would end before I ever saw it

But here they are reaching for it
Ready to move on

Ready to be a part of that light
But I'd prefer to stay

I dig my nails into the ground and cry
Why can't they see that the light hurts
The light hurts my eyes

"Go on without me"
"I'll be ok"

But I won't
I won't ever be ok with that light still visible

I'll be even less ok when that light forces me closer to it
When everyone is dragging me towards it

Why can't they see I don't want it
I wish I could want it

I wish I could look at that light without it hurting
But I can't

I hate that light