Brialee Turner

I am shouting,
but you can’t hear me
because it’s all in my head.

I’ve got to be perfect,
and unless I’m given permission,
I won’t say what I feel.

I am in a cage,
and there is no lock,
or door. The gaps
between the doors are
large enough for me to slip
between, I
just need to be
brave
enough
to
step
out.

But inside
I feel the safety
of knowing that you
will see me differently
if I make no mistakes.

But living in safety means
that I will never say
“free”.