Why can’t my life be wholly mine?
Why must others’ expectations define my ambitions?
Why must others’ dreams shape my reality?
Why must others’ concept of reality distort my dreams?
Why must schedules & timetables
Chart my life?
Why must a planner
Tell me what to do?
Why must a clock decide
The ‘time’?
Why can’t I distort it to suit myself?
Why must applause from others make me feel proud?
Why must discouragement & criticism show me the ground?
Why must a pat from someone else have more significance
Than my own faith in myself?
Why must others’ opinions become a fact?
Why must others’ idea of right & wrong
Become ‘Right’ & ‘Wrong’?
Why must unspoken rules force me to think in a certain way?
Why can’t I indulge in eating to my heart’s content?
Why must the weighing machine decide my diet?
Why must my appearance to people decide my wardrobe?
Given this very minute will be my last…
Will I enjoy again, the taste of chocolate, the smell of citrus, the sight of a baby’s smile?
I’m not demanding a reckless freedom
I’m only asking what is already mine
Not to be broken in splinters, distributed to the world
To shape and distort as they please,
Why can’t my life be wholly mine?
