Boxes by Amy WustrinIf I was prettier
Everything I'd say would be
Wittier, more interesting
If I was skinnier
Every move I'd make would be
Mesmerizing, graceful
If I was cooler
People would let me complete a sentence
Instead of responding to what I never said
If I was calmer
I wouldn't have to work so hard
To convince a person that they've hurt me
If I was further to the left
Everything I'd think would be
More palatable, "acceptable"
If I was wealthier
No one would assume it was my due Karma
Like they do with poverty and struggle
If I was more submissive
No one would perceive it as
An unhealthy attitude, a flaw
If I played dumb
No one would feel threatened by
My opinions, my convictions
If I was the box you created
For your fellow man to occupy
You would never let me go, but I would always be empty
So yes, let's talk about bigotry
But let's skip the small talk about monuments and bits of cloth
And the history buried in the ground
Let's just set fire to this pile of boxes
That were never designed to fit people...
That's what coffins are for
08/17/2017 Posted on 08/17/2017 Copyright © 2025 Amy Wustrin
Member Comments on this Poem |
Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 08/18/17 at 01:17 PM Excellent! I concur. Amy, you might want to remove the Explicit rating...more exposure, readers that way. |
Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 08/20/17 at 06:32 PM One of the best things I've read lately to describe these times we are experiencing. Well done. |
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