I am enslaved by embarrassment.
Handcuffs for the handicapped.
Orange jumpsuits scream the words I cannot.
These bars are comforting,
Casting shadows on my face.
You may torment me from afar
But I am safe inside this place.
They all scream criminal, crook,
Because labels are for losers.
The scars in my arms hold the fear
I refuse to show.
Every night the laughter in my memories
Gets louder
And cuts deeper,
But I refuse to let them know.
A ball and chain to restrain
Me from running.
The cop in front of me
Stares me down,
But I had it coming.
If I just hid my face,
If I never said a word,
If I looked down when I cried
Maybe they wouldn’t have been so disgraced.
If I gave up on being happy
If I never tried to love
It would’ve saved me the torment
I tried to rise above.