Once I was wild and free, Imaginative and curious Wanting to explore every corner Of the universe and uncover It’s secrets. Maybe a little loud And boisterous, But assured that my ideas And dreams were within reach. Then I was shamed Into quieting myself down. Fear of the unknown was instilled. And suddenly, exploring the world Seemed frightening and impossible. Just a silly joke I had played on myself. I was judged and found wanting. Small, incompetent girl who thinks She could be someone in a world Filled with so many faceless no ones. I tried to hide myself in the darkest, Smallest corner of the universe I could find In hopes they wouldn’t see me anymore. That they would ignore me and forget All about me and my shortcomings. So I stuffed myself into so many boxes And roles that simply weren’t me. Until I became so fake and plastic And sick that I had to break free. I burned those boxes to ash, Stepped out of the darkness To once again be wild and free.