I have just as much of a right
To walk the streets at night
And not fear the potential of death,
Or random acts of violence
Which come with being alive.

And I have just as much of a right
To speak up for my rights
Fear not the risk of retaliation
Nor the salvation
Which accompanies our lives.

I have as much of a right
To hear what you have to say
And choose to look the other way,
Should I not agree
With the sentiments you convey.

And I have as much of a right
To express what I mean to say
In the manner it was intended,
Even if you are not aligned
With the feelings I describe.

I have just as much of a right
To live out my days in peace,
Or protest in the streets,
For the just causes
Which I find worthwhile to me.

And I have just as much of a right,
To find my place in this life,
By acting within the limitations
Of this world’s regulations,
In the ways I find meaningful to me.

These are my unalienable rights.
And it would not be fit nor moral,
Should someone or something
Dare try to revoke these from me.

So long as we remain informed,
And our actions do not cause detriment
To our mutually shared entitlements
Of these most certain Unalienable Rights.

(Written Feb 2022)