Burn

Society draws a map for us;

Guiding us to a safer place.

No time to waste. 

Follow the arrow. 

Don't step off or you are out.

There is no time for the disobedient.

Ticking. Ticking.

You went the wrong way.

Burn.

Feel the same.

The gossip spreading like wildfire.

Burn.

Burning holes through your mind;

The fire will consume you.

Burn.

Don't stop.

Keep moving.

You stop-you are a goner.

Burn.

But you make it.

You're alive;

You are safe.

........

So you thought.

Burn.

But the scar from the burn 

taking residence on our arm-

Now you're different;

You've been marked.

Burn.

You play hide and seek with the world, 

but you, you are always the one hiding.

Society finds you.

Burn.

Yet another example of what happens

when you leave the chosen path.

Trampled by words of disapproval;

Each word, another scar.

Burn.

But this time is different.

The tail wind of society will not draw you 

further down the road most traveled.

You will wander to new places.

Discover yourself as you discover the world.

It is not easy nor is it safe.

But when your heart finds its happy,

you can say that you earned it.

Live a life full of detours and bridges 

and road trip adventures.

Love yourself.

Love the world.

And for the love of all who are different;

Don't bother learning to how to read a map.

Let the map

Burn.