They passed out lists of what to be
Dress like this
Talk like that
Smile on cue for the family photograph
I tried that script
It made me small
Bit my tongue
Bent my spine
Woke up sore from being someone else’s outline
Break the rules
Break the rules
Rip the tape off every truth they tried to use
If the line feels like a cage
Kick it
Cross it
Set it ablaze
Break the rules
Break the rules
Red-ink hearts on their tidy little classroom walls
If it hurts just trying to fit
Burn the page you’re written in
They say “be good” they mean “obey”
Keep your voice
Soft and safe
But my chest drums loud like it’s chewing through the cage
I’m done with quiet
Done with “please”
Scuff my shoes
Stain my jeans
If I’m trouble
Then I’m trouble in the first degree
Break the rules
Break the rules
Rip the tape off every truth they tried to use
If the line feels like a cage
Kick it
Cross it
Set it ablaze
Break the rules
Break the rules
Red-ink hearts on their tidy little classroom walls
If it hurts just trying to fit
Burn the page you’re written in