The Box

She’s boxed in by sense of duty

responsibility to others

She’s boxed out by sense of duty

responsibility to herself

Her days are spent working out the former

her nights trying to resolve the latter

She dreams of pushing against the sides

but is confused

not sure if she is pushing in or out

She wakes in the middle of the night

in a warm sweat

wonders how long it will take to grow up

Up up up

Until she can step over the walls

Free, able to think outside the box