Not broken, bending light

Sidewalk chalk runs in the morning drain, A hopscotch grid turned soft and stained. "Be kind" is fading where the sun don’t hit — Half a heart where the kids once sit. The curb’s still cracked from last year’s freeze, Mail piled up like apologies. And I still check the porch each day, Like good news might’ve lost its way. I can’t see far through the streaked glass pane, But I stay in motion, I stay in frame. We’re not broken, just bending light Through cracks they said we wouldn't survive. Every step’s a spark in the sleepless night — We’re the future they forgot to write. Can’t erase what we become, When we stand like shadows in the sun. So hold the line, take your position — We were built for new dimensions. The heater kicks once, then gives up the ghost, Dry air hissing like it’s got no hope. There's rice in the pantry, soup in the drawer, And duct tape curling off the back screen door. My daughter hums while sorting the mail, Tells me bad news feels smaller in scale When you speak it aloud, like a spell in reverse — She laughs and says, “could be worse.” The system’s off-key, we feel every glitch. But I’ve got names to call and switches to flip. Hope’s not a candle — it’s a stubborn machine, Built from the scraps of what might have been. We’re not broken, just bending light Through cracks they said we wouldn't survive. Every step’s a spark in the sleepless night — We’re the future they forgot to write. Can’t erase what we become, When we stand like shadows in the sun. So hold the line, take your position — We were built for new dimensions. We keep moving, Like memory through a storm, Tracing futures With hands made warm.