Boxed (A Poem)

(This image is by Frits Ahlefeldt at hikingartist.com.)

The following is another poem by my friend Brian McLaughlin.

Within the Box

Man, placed in a box of rules.

Tolerated as long as he behaves

and doesn't wander outside.

His growth limited by its walls

with no room to add anything that might be new.

Is the world afraid

to have a new dessert,

one that may tickle the tastes

of those who see themselves as inmates?

Bound within this box,

their faith and beliefs are squashed.

The box dwellers are deprived

of their choice and preference of their own

likes, dislikes and that which makes them who they are.

Their individualism stolen.

Their personal freedom denied.

Their voices silenced by a sound proofing

created by the approval or disapproval of the elder.

There is no freedom within the box

when forced to live by another mans creed.