Caged

August 19, 2008:

Pay attention to the cuss words
and the fist-fractured wall
Don't look past the blame heaped on you
For beneath its weight you'll fall

Have you quickened your response time
to appease and deflect rage?
Is a 'sorry' always on your lips?
Do you feel locked in a cage?

Can you adjust to the idea
of a master puppeteer
who pulls the strings to move your limbs
but makes sure your head is clear?

Have the insults grown more frequent?
Has respect been gagged and choked?
In the dynamics of the moment
have his macho thoughts been stoked?

Do you have the space to think?
Does he listen when you speak?
Or does he degrade your sense of self and pride?
Into your journals does he peek?

How much of you has slipped away?
How much of you is tied in knots?
You've turned yourself inside out
to be a glamorous robot.

How much longer do you have
before your life ends with a blow?
Heed my warning to you now:
Protect your life and go!