they will hush the curious minds
for fear of too much light
clip the wings of thought
so no one feels too small
intelligence will be a weapon
they strip from the brave ones
to make the world feel safer
for those who fear the unknown
the brilliant will shrink inward
their voices swallowed by stone
while the loud and empty echo
with pride in their mediocrity
what is kindness if it smothers
what is equality if it blinds us
in silencing the sharp tongues
we lose the edge of discovery