Because I said so,

floats through the mouth

Of every adult I know.

Because I said so,

Is a punishment because you havent lived life long enough to know better.

Because I said so,

spit through clenched teeth,

Because they wouldnt open them wide enough to be happy.

Healthy.

Trustworthy.

Feeling trapped,

Because I said so

are the only words you learn to hear,

because the goverment tells you

that you arent legal,

old enough,

smart enough.

Maybe you outsmart them all,

and they are afraid.

Too unsettled to realize

that you can take care of yourself.

That you are yourself.