I used to hate-
How I stayed within the lines,
In the pictures I portrayed.
I used to hate-
How I thought once, twice, three times,
And still could not decide,
What I wanted to make.
I used to hate-
The bubble I was stuck in,
The structure I never punctured,
The rules in my head,
Like some wings I could not spread;

While I observed the beautiful swirling imperfect creations of my peers,
Who would draw on their Converse - add piercings to their ears;
Magical and free. I admired their creativity,
As I let the gas settle back in my shaken-up bottle,
Thinking will I eventually run out of throttle?
Grabbing moments of impulsivity, always followed by second, third and fourth thoughts -
Till they pass, and I'm back to my indecisive self.

But now I like my thought-out decisions,
I like the tasks I deem worthy to finish.
Not as free as my peers, and I still like their beauty-
But this world need us both: the fun and the duty.

When I was a child,
I was always told
I must colour inside the lines.

It was told to me
With such conviction
I was fearful to stray
Beyond those lines on the page.

I became quite okay with it then
As I had my colours
And thought little about
What it really meant.

But when I grew up,
I began to question the real purpose
Of those lines that constrained me.

Who put the lines there?
What is the reason for them?
Why shouldn’t I stray beyond them?

The answers came gradually
And two themes prevailed:
You must be compliant!
You must conform!

Like those lines on the page
That I mustn’t stray beyond,
Society draws the lines
To mark the norm.

It is safe inside the lines;
Society is pleased
Because you don’t break their rules.

Are you happy to comply?

The seesaw law
Says what goes up
Must come down.

The law that rules
The merry-go-roun'
Says if you're on it
Too long you'll *****.

The law of the playgroun'
Says biggest kid wins.

Mosaic law
Says you can't keep it
But keep it you must
And says it's just.

The law of love
Says love covers
A multitude of sins.

Before I can take

off my hat, I have to wait --


for a good moment.

this one rule is what the society is built on.
this one simple thing, so innocent and permanent, how can it hurt anyone? how can it hurt you?
no, the rule is not for just a few, it is a rule for all.
yes, you can go against the rule. and yes, you will not be considered yourself if you do not follow it.
wrap yourself in farce to follow this rule.
bend, twist and become a circus monkey to follow this rule.
buy from the moneymakers- rights, will, choice and freedom.
for the poor- here is a candle lit in the dark of the night for you. it represents hope.
the rule rules, it is simple as that.
and they command, and you live as they lay the beautiful necklace around your neck- each rule sewed to form it- bead by bead. till it ties around so heavily that you beg to rather be put in shackles.