For the first time in my life, as I shut my eyes and tried to listen in order to compose, no matter how hard I tried, I could not hear anything. In the darkness, I only heard my blood pumping through my veins and my breath; I heard that I was still alive, existing, passing the time.

My teacher used to tell me to trust and to follow my desire. What does my ear desire, and what do I desire? I desire a world in which all humans are equal and free, a world in which every child has a chance, regardless of where they were born. A world in which we value life and how precious it is.

These desires do not translate to sound or music.