Being Warehoused

being warehoused,
you hang bright curtains;
the brightest you can find.

but they have to come down;
the lining's not correct
when viewed from the street.

you stand in lines correctly

hoping they will smile when its your turn.
is it possible there are smiles
that are wounding? you have this to learn.

it is possible.
don't decorate your cell
someone said once.

slowly, you learn why.
and earn the right each day
to live inside-

as richly as you choose,

yourself.

mary angela douglas 11 september 2015