I was in between being young & being right

I felt the pain and knew the scourge,
The sour anger, bilious and burning holes
In the selfish assumption
I was made of sugar

No, I was coated in sugar

I sought refuge by day
But by night it was revenge

I was trying to tell them how mad I was,
How alone I felt, my parents,
The police, the probation I did for accidentally trespassing
The juvenile detention I did for sleeping in

But I tried to tell them with rocks
And broken glass

So they set heavy weights on my limbs
And subjected me to things I didn't need or deserve
And it forced me to be still, because
I couldn't see the black tendrils of the private prison corporations at night
I writhed and I writhed and eventually forced myself still
Because I still believe.

Because I see opportunity...

And without selling my true self I have grown and accepted
That I was wrong, that I was a flawed youth.
On top of these slighted bones, I am building a man
True to himself.

But you, sir, have some gall to rescind
And my country, amok
Has a monster to disassemble.