I am not who you think I am

When we are born, the box we are to fill is already in place

expectations unleashed

stereotypes at the ready.

As we grow older we are taught simple rules:

How to act,

                around others

How to speak,

                when spoken to

How to behave,

                wise and demure

Without opinion outside the norm.

Without objection to the status quo.

We are taught to make lists in order to be productive

That happiness comes in twos

And to be one is to be lonely, and afraid.

That if you do not have a partner, that something is inherently wrong with you

One plus one

The other half

The better half

And to be anything less is to be less yourself.

We are taught that in order to be successful,

We must play the part.

Obtain a role laid out for us by the status quo.

To follow a dream is only for the weekend

After the chores are done,

                the to-do list checked off

To follow a dream is to live in a dream

                Outside of reality

                                Outside of the norm

A freak

A dreamer

A paradox

Invalid.

Success is only measured within the box.

I am not who you want me to be.

I can never be,

                will never be,

Could never live stifled.

I am who I was meant to be.

5.31.2018