Freak Flag

Prompt: 10 lines, 10 words per line

Our world demands that we all must strive to conform
and be ridiculed if we don't fit in the norm,
but where are these rules saying you can't be yourself -
to be a copy of every doll on the shelf?
Without quirks and unique traits, our world would be small;
it'd be so boring we wouldn't want it at all -
you cannot be afraid to stand out from the crowd
so be whoever you are, be it loud and proud,
you can let it all out, be your own paradox,
it's time for everyone to break free from the box

Author's Note

Within such a rigid structure (10 lines with 10 words and 12 syllables per line), I thought it'd be fun to write about freedom of expression.

Reviews

[Asante]

This piece did wonders within the confines of a structure.

I love the message behind it as well; we should all break free of the chains we wrap ourselves in. One could argue that we aren't truly living otherwise.

The title of this drew me in -- I love it! I love this piece, truly. I can see why it placed first in a contest.

Great work, Gaia. :)

[Gaia Octavia]

Thank you very much! ☺ I agree with you 100%. If you aren't living free, you aren't living at all.

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked and I agreed with the poem.
"Without quirks and unique traits, our world would be small;
it'd be so boring we wouldn't want it at all -"
Good to be different. Make the world a more entertaining place. Thank you Gaia for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Gaia Octavia]

Thank you very much! I am glad you enjoyed it ☺

[Coyote Poetry]

I did enjoy and you are welcome.

[ranscan]

I will start this review by thanking you for entering this work in the "Metric Madness" contest.
That you not only met every measure set in the rules, but also including a grand rhyming scheme and a message in the theme, is truly inspiring.
The structure of your work is strong, and the theme is communicated well within the tight limits of the word and line count.
The thoughts are well developed, and there is some amusing imagery in this piece.
As always your work has a light touch, though even here you disturb the deep waters.

[Gaia Octavia]

Thank you for the contest. It was a fun, challenging prompt. I wish more people had given it a try. As always, you are too kind, but I thank you for your positive review ☺

[Lorry]

Superb. I like the composure in this piece, defined with the rigid structure you mention in your authors note, which leaves me with the thought that it would be a very different world if the only flavour was vanilla and we all had the same sound. Being individual rubs off on others too and may just give someone the confidence to find their own unique voice, or flavour.

[Gaia Octavia]

Thank you 😊 I think now, more than ever, it's an important message. Once again, thanks a lot!

[Lorry]

You're welcome :)

[James]

I great topic when forced to write with strict guidelines, I think you accomplished your mission very well. I've always admired people who weren't afraid to stand out.

[Gaia Octavia]

Thanks a bunch! 😊

[writingandthings]

I like the irony of this poem. With the rigid format and the context being about breaking free of structure and norms. Very well written.

[Gaia Octavia]

Thanks very much!