I am not a prisoner.

Though I am bound by the shackles of life,

I remain strong.

 

I refuse to be put down.

Do what you will to torture me,

But I will remain standing.

 

I am not a dog.

Order me around as you do,

But I will no longer obey.

 

I am not your puppet.

Try to string me along and control me,

But I will break your chains.

 

Sick of being hidden away within the shadows,

Only allowed out when you have no one else to cling to,

I steal your spotlight.

 

You cannot lock me up;

I am not one to be caged.

I will not do your bidding;

I am not one to be told.

 

Whether I be happy, angry, or sad,

I will smile.

I refuse to show you my tears;

I will not let you see me cry.

 

I am human;

I am fragile.

I can only withstand so much

Before the cracks begin to show.

Like glass, I will shatter.

My pieces will scatter and some will be lost;

Never again will I be whole.

But though I am broken,

I am not one to be thrown away or replaced.

 

Accept me for who I am.

 

Do not try to fix me;

I am not one to conform.

 

Do not ignore me;

I am not one to be silent.

 

Do not say that you understand me;

I am not one to be lied to.

 

Through thick and thin, I have remained by your side,

Only to be treated like this in return.

I refuse to let you rule my life;

I am not one to be commanded.

 

The time has come for me to leave.

 

I will fight these restraints you have cast on me.

With fire burning in my eyes and determination coursing through my veins,

I break free.

 

Free from this hate,

Free from this pain,

Free from these tears,

Free from you and your selfish whims.

But most of all,

Free to be myself.