Poetry

we’ve all been painted by numbers
none of us are free
we’re boxed and labeled
told what and what not to be
tethered to an idealistic image
drawn perfectly to scale
we’re just cheap reproductions
traced down to each detail
the color in our eyes
penciled in a little brighter
the ropes around our necks
pulling tighter-tighter-tighter
our bodies reject our souls
they’re just hanging by a thread
where our hearts once were
there’s a vacancy instead
we gave up everything we were
look at us now, can’t you see
we’re just shadows of ourselves
and who we meant to be
we’re just another face
getting lost in the crowd
obediently playing our part
look at us now – aren’t you proud?