Box

“You have wings”. They say.

But stretch them if I may?

Too far I’ve reached

My life is not only mine to breathe.

“You can dream.” They say.

And when I do,

They say-“This is not what is expected of you!”

I fell, I rose

I hit rock bottom,

I soared the skies!

But did I fall for what I love?

Did I rise, head held high?

I lived your Dream,

I lived your life,

The one you designed so precise.

I tried and tried to break free

Your validation my Only legacy.

The ghosts of once loved dreams loomed large,

Within those four walls

Only where I took charge.

The walls grew closer

As I suffocated in the enclosure.

Why is there no colour?

Why is there no shine?

Just jump-start my soul

Give me a sign!

I yelled, I shrieked.

But as long as the walls bounded me,

‘They’ branded me neat.

Until this day

I’ve lived your way.

Muffled cries my only pay.

In your box of expectations don’t fit me!

That’s not who I am meant to be.

Let me be and you will see

My life, my self-carved destiny.