Hello,
Tell me, who were you? Who were you before the world told
you that your smile was too wide?
...that smile that wide was only a call to bandits of joy?
Who were you before you met those who would have you eat but
not be full, those who would fund your business but not allow you make it home
with the proceeds, who were you?
Who were you before you learnt it was safer to keep your
head down and lie low? Who were you before you learnt not to display your
beauty because here, when theft happens, the owner is always at fault?
Who were you before you learnt that roses do not survive?
...That thorns survive where roses are plucked in their bloom?
Who were you before you learnt to keep the bile in and show
white, pearly teeth?
Who were you before you learnt to play safe?
Before you learnt to cut your coat according to your cloth,
Before you learnt how to be realistic,
Before you learnt how to want less so that you would cry
less
Tell me, who were you?
And what did you want?
