Photograph: Kenneth McMillan
Boxes…
little boxes,
Social Credit, Liberal, Baptist, Aries, Winter, Melancholy, Irish, poet, rich, white, professional. . .
we huddle together in the box we are most comfortable in
because
we are the same,
we belong.
It is comfortable and safe. . .
until a different box empties near ours.
‘They’ try to fit in,
we reluctantly make room.
They are different. They are not like us.
It is uncomfortable. It is ‘their’ fault.
We must show them how to change, be acceptable.
Remove your label. Put on ours. Promise to be committed, loyal.
Do what we do. Don’t ask questions. Don’t complain or criticize.
Don’t suggest we change.
We will enlarge our box to accommodate you,
help you make it comfortable and pretty
as long as you stay inside our box, wear our label
you will be safe, accepted, loved.
You don’t want a label?
But you must wear a label!
How will anyone know who you are, where you belong?
You don’t belong in a box?
You think you are larger than any box we could put you in?
You dump out boxes and destroy labels?
You are dangerous!
We aren’t safe with you around.
We must rid ourselves of people like you.
You are not loyal nor committed.
You are a rebel, a trouble maker, a shit disturber.
We must destroy you.
Here is our label for you,
“Jesus – King of the Jews”
and a box to bury you in.
©1986 Sharron R. McMillan
hernibs 