Rebellion

You painted me in

thick black lines

and taught me how to walk

back and forth between them

You let them dull the color

that existed in the deepest part of me

Bright yellows and vibrant blues

transforming into a dull gray

You told me that standing out

is the worst thing to do in this world

Placed a mold around my heart

and taught me values the masses agreed to

“DO NOT STAND OUT.”

My vulnerability could wreak havoc

an uprising of reality that could unsettle the sheep

I struck my wrists and let the colors bleed

then cried out,

“STOP SHAPING ME!”

The dull gray began to change inside

my body, growing and pulsing with life

The vibrant colors were back,

all shades of the rainbow flowing out

My eyes, for the first time, could see.