Beyond These Walls

A Poem by Michelle Gent

The Grade School Years

Beyond These Walls-

Here in body alone
My mind transcends these four small walls
That can ensnare my person only
Teacher drones on incessantly
His voice meant to reprogram me

Useless information meant to prepare me
For the real world
"Can the square root tunnel me out"
Back to the vehicle that bused me in
So I can make a clean get away

Teacher or parole officer?
Trying to confuse me
Not here of my own free will
Sentence served graduation day
Not a moment sooner

Tick-tock-tick-tock
Reminds me of my serving sentence
Told what to eat, think, wear
Individuality stripped bare
Faceless zombies being defined

Insanity plea's apropos
The systems of the devil's design
Identity's a soul
destined for oblivion