To Build an Empire

“To Build an Empire”

by third year Teresa Lu

the world is on fire

set by billionaires and greedy regimes

looking for profit among national parks 

and public land

i despise this disease called money

but tonight

we are going out

swapping lipgloss and trying on each others clothes

giggling like school girls who don’t know any better 

move to the music 

leave your worries for a minute or so 

with the weight of the world suspended for this little moment

we can lean on each other

and when i come home at the end of the night

after letting you know i made it back safe 

put my head to the pillow

wake up to bear this weight again

the world is still on fire

but laughter is alive

and music plays in the background 

while my soulmate texts me good morning

the bank won’t stop calling

there are essays to write

people to help 

i need health insurance and laundry day was a week ago

money is a disease

this world is on fire

but i refuse to let my breath be stolen

inhale 

exhale 

through the smoke 

and life is good