A Fear We Can Defeat- A Poem on North Korea

Imagine living in a country where fear seems to wait behind every corner.
Where you have grown so accustomed to it's haunting shadow
It isn't considered fear at all,
But a lifestyle.
Not an emotion or feeling
or anything that gives a mere hope of something better
But a lifestyle.
We've all felt fear
but take a moment and imagine
Having ears to hear and eyes to see
and not being able to speak,
to stand,
to act
against the terrible, horrid, injustice you meet.
The pain, 
the heartaches, 
the suffering,
the forced beliefs.
Behind guarded walls that seem to increase
and we begin uncovering
North Korea and their governing.
And every day
North Koreans are dealing with fear
of a government that smothers their tears.
Food shortages,
Isolation,
Arrest,
Prison Camps,
Propaganda,
Labor,
Disease,
Public Executions.
The list could go on forever.
But think,
And you might need a moment to let this really sink,
Of all the things in this world that are unjust,
why would I mention something so hard to discuss?
The reality; 
We can't let something with so much weight get overlooked in this state.
And for all those who are thinking, 'Why?'
Because you have a right to try.
Because this isn't some story you've heard about in your books with a happily ever after at the end.
This is reality.
And doesn't it seem a bit unfair when all they can do is look at our lives and stare?
They start to compare, thinking, 'if only someone would care.'
And I only wish they could understand we're reaching out our hand
All we need is for you to take a stand-
You have ears to hear and eyes to see
And the chance to speak,
to stand,
to act,
Against the terrible, horrid, injustice they meet.
This fear may seem a feat
But together, it can slowly, surely, be beat.
--Emmaleigh Finch