Conformity

Conformity; a box; a structure- the structure A definition; a mandate; an unwritten set of rules; guidelines A single path woven by society An invisible path only discovered when one strays The oppression; the judgement; the criticism of simply being DIFFERENT ‘If you’re looking for a change, don’t,’ They say, as this has always been the way We are living in a winter, keeping us wrapped in the blankets of stagnation But do not be mistaken, for this is not a seasonal winter No, it is a different kind of cold An undetectable freeze, unbeknownst to those that skate by, consumed in a world that is afraid of change, of what might happen if one were to draw outside the lines To those who dare crack the ice, throw off the blankets, divert from the one way street to go the opposite direction A round of applause Because to conform is to fit in with the social norms But what are these standards and why? Why should one feel forced to comply? To identify? To internalize? Our personas cannot be regulated; we will rise From the ashes of Oppression, we will fight the fires of Repression, put out the flames of Suppression The world is in a dire state so be the one to open the gates Do not allow for prolongation of the inevitable reformation We have an obligation to this nation Because the worst is not yet to come, it has already swept through But the change starts with you