suffocate

everywhere i look seems like
another line being drawn
a deadline, an obligation, another
promise i have to keep; it's
days weeks years
boxing me in and
i keep trying to slip out
cuz i can feel the air leaking in
through the holes in the corners
but i tell myself i ought
i ought
i ought to make them happy
i ought not to disappoint
i don't want to let anyone down so i don't
batter through the cardboard walls
surrounding me; instead
i let the papery dryness build up
in my mouth
hide the box cutter in my shoe
decorate my cage with bright colors and
activities to distract me from
my suffocation & that
fresh air i can almost almost taste