Domestication

They domesticated me

They caught me in the wild.

They ravaged my body

When I was only a child.

They stuffed me in a cage

And threw away the key.

They laughed in my face

As I cried on bended knee.

They told me to play nice

To smile and not frown.

To speak soft and quiet

And barely make a sound.

They told me to be pretty

That I needed to fit in.

That I should be grateful

For this cage I was in!

I screamed and fought

Refused to be locked up.

But over time grew tired

And laid down and gave up.

Over the years I forgot

That I was not free.

And this part that I played

Was disconnected from me.

I learned to be an actress

And to play my part well.

I became accustomed 

To this lifetime in Hell.

But, one day I awoke

It was sudden and abrupt.

I saw my cage clearly

And began to erupt -

With feelings of rage,

Confusion and denial.

I screamed for help

Worried for my survival.

How long had I been here?

In this cage in Hell?

How had I forgotten?

Was it a dark magic spell?

But through tenacity

And sheer will and faith

I found my way to freedom

Outside of this cage.

I now help others

Find their own keys.

For we each hold the power

To finally be free.

Written by Amanda Durocher

(On so many dates)