Home
Young Writers Project
be heard
  • READ
    • Recent Table
    • Daily Read
    • Recommended
    • Recent Comments
      • Table-Users
    • YWP Newsletter
  • CHALLENGES
    • Weekly Challenges 18/19
    • Writing Contest: Invasive
    • Live Challenges
  • WORKSHOPS
    • Writing on the Roof
    • Events
    • Voices for Change
  • PUBLICATIONS
    • Anthology
    • Newspapers
    • VPR.net
    • VTDigger.org
    • The Voice-2.19
  • ABOUT
    • YWP is ...
    • Contact Us
    • Permission Form
    • The YWP FAQ page
    • Site Help
    • Community Leaders
  • Donate
  • LOG IN/JOIN
Previous Post
Next Post
Sep 30
audio 3 comments challenge: General
Layjmo's picture
Layjmo

The Box

mediaRecorder_5bb3f799482b3.ogg
The Box

The idea that people aren’t the same

Seems to be something our minds cannot frame

Young people want to “fit in” and “be cool”

But is that really how we’re getting through school?

Kids are stifled, trapped in this cookie cutter

Our unique abilities tossed down the gutter

Too scared to show who we really are

But tell me, will that truly get us so far?

It seems we’re being trained to fit into a box

The way we all walk, the way everyone talks

Moves alike, identical syllabic flow

But what is it that we’re trying to show?

That we’re all able to be one and the same?

To follow societal rules in the avoidance of shame?

The alternative isn’t so bad, it turns out

Just showing the world what you’re all about

Where is the problem in that, I ask?

It it really too scary not to stay behind this mask?

The truth is that we all need to be brave

‘Cause it’s only ourselves we’re trying to save

And in doing that we give everything up

In the interest of fitting in the lineup

And then we’re not really saving ourselves

We’re losing the truth into which we must delve

Because really, what’s possibly better than you?

Showing what’s undeniably, absolutely true?

No matter if you don’t fit the standard

Go out and be your own commander

The ideals of conformity do not apply

To yourself, and here is the reason why:

We don’t all want to be the same

If we are then what status can we attain?

As one who went the way they all did?

Who did nothing but what was expected?

That I don’t think is the way to live life

Trapped in a world of self-doubt and strife

Even if being different is scary

It’s easier than being so cautionary

Eventually that status won’t last

Because there is nothing within one’s grasp

That allows a break in the structure and pattern

Forever stuck, oneself being shattered

It’s always better to be unorthodox

Than to let yourself be put in this perfect square box
Audio download:
mediaRecorder_5bb3f799482b3.ogg
  • Layjmo's blog
  • Sprout
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted: 09.30.18
Layjmo's picture
About the Author: Layjmo
MSG / CONTACT
RECENT LOVES
  • I Care
  • Autumn
  • Gender Inequality
RECENT COMMENTS
  • This is a great poem! It's so
  • Thank you!
  • Thank you! It means so much
  • This poem is a statement

Other Posts by Author

  • Success
    In our culture today, so many believe Read more
    in poem 0 Comments
  • Different
    Why can’t we all accept the fact Read more
    in poem 1 Comment
  • Society's Message
    Society's Message Read more
    in poem 1 Comment

Discussion

Comments

  1. Layjmo
    Sep 30, 2018

    This poem is a statement about modern adolescents.

    • Log in or register to post comments
  1. ShanRippWriting
    Oct 01, 2018

    This is so true and I love the metaphors you use to convey that we are all different but want to be the same. This was a wonderful poem and message.

    • Log in or register to post comments
  1. Layjmo
    Oct 01, 2018

    Thank you! It means so much to me that it impacted you in that way!

    • Log in or register to post comments
  • about
  • how to partner
  • for teachers
  • support us
​YWP  |  47 Maple St.  |  Burlington, VT  05401  | [email protected]  |  (802) 324-9538 
The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself. -- Albert Camus
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • Google+ icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Vimeo icon
  • YouTube icon
  • E-Mail icon