Vision 2040

by Eva Shilling

I’m 35.
It’s still a surprise that I’m really alive,
Because when I fall into my 15 year old eyes I feel those terrible butterflies
Not those flutters of excitement but the ones of confinement, the countless advisements to stay inside to save more lives.
The requirement made this 15 year old girl reliant on the strange silent silence that had suddenly created a “balance”

This 15 year old girl lived in a world with no news about violence, every broadcast focused on the virus
She lived in a place where there was nothing but space, face to face was just never the case
She lived on this earth where hospitals turned away mothers about to have birth because COVID-19 just had more worth

As I look back at that now it's hard to believe that that was allowed, especially when I say it outloud
The virus hung over her life with a cloud, a doubt that we’d ever turn it around

Walks that she took were a strange place of sanctuary that were somehow necessary became almost involuntary 
Her one time a day that she went outside side eyes intensified, the closer the people she was accidentally walking behind

When I question it today, it's not easy to say that that was her life, starting on her spring break holiday
Since here I am now after years of fears and tears, I’m intensely grateful for those volunteers
The people that focused their time on building communities, “alone together” organizing unity
I thank those who risked being exposed, essential workers arose despite high possibility of not being alright

Here in 2040 I’m glad to announce that our politics are focused on what really counts
We learned our lesson through this pandemic, authentic work is what gives you credit
A fresh start for society diminished anxiety, races and genders of authority comes in all different varieties 
Our people of this future match my 15 year old dreams, working in teams to sew up the seams, searching the extremes for finding those life saving vaccines

I love this place now, 20 years ago wow, I never thought that the brief years of distraught would give me fresh energy, 10 million watts
It's not a utopia but its nearly there, new solutions for climate change, like walking on air 
Nature restored flowers so sweet, it must be a record, miles of green look like those nature shows of 2015, birds fill the sky flying so high singing the songs of a lullaby, our earth finally feels qualified 

As the human race we embrace determined years of change that created this place
Written in history the dates we developed the states, altering the rates, all knowledge based to find a common place
I momentarily say that I’m proud of the head way even with the delay
Hope although cheesy, is what sneakily made the solutions feel so much more easy

Our future, you ask?
I don't know what it brings 
I don't have an answer for who pulls the strings
But for as what I’ve learned I’ve learned quite a few things, 
Which compels me to say have faith in your dreams, strive for trying new things, because you never know when you’ll find your double rainbow.

Eva Schilling

My name is Eva and I am a sophomore at Grant High School in Portland Oregon. A couple of my favorite authors and artists are Kiera Cass and Amine! Along with writing, I love to dance, listen to music, and spend time with my friends. I want to attribute this opportunity to my freshman english teacher Ms. Kirkpatrick who really inspired and pushed me throughout the year and I couldn’t have progressed this year the way I did without her!