is not to be silent
but to have voices competing
drowning each other out
so that we only hear the words
coming out of our own mouths

it means not to be cold
but to be scorched with the frustration
of being misunderstood
and pushed away
watching as our bridges burn
before they have ever even been built

it means not the darkness
but the light, blinding light
of the stage we stand
where we must deliver our lines
and play our parts eternally
never to remove our masks

it means not to be broken
but not being able to break
even when we want to
always on the verge of crying
we let our eyes swell but never flow
pretending everything's fine

and as i look from eye to eye
i know that i am lonely but not alone
in this cageless prison