Hinges

They wanted me 

to stay inside their box,

to color 

inside their lines

They wanted me 

to stay inside their box,

easily judged,

easily classified

They wanted me 

to stay inside their box,

afraid, 

if my box moved,

their box would

topple from its

comfortable perch

They wanted me 

to stay inside their box,

but their box

was narrow

and empty

They wanted me 

to stay inside their box,

but there were

hinges on the lid

Written April 26, 2020

Thumbnail image drawn by Keith Allison