By Aniah Star Cortez

 

I’ve always been restricted, 

by cultural bonds as tight, 

As a boa constricting,

Squeezing out hope and promise.

Like a lemon turned to juice 

 

A lemon who’s simply fine, 

to taste unrefined and sharp,

Who doesn’t wish to become,

Lemonade; seventy percent sugar,

And thirty percent lemon.

 

But people squeeze ideas,

To fit with their own true truths,

To fit personal desires,

To fit in common beliefs,

To fit inside comfort zones,

 

People avoid discomfort, 

So turn to repress smart ideas,

And full of heart ideas, 

And so they turn to squeeze

Like a boa to lemons.