I sit on a shelf, a trophy

My life is on display

I'm surrounded by a soundproof box

My voice drowned out by its confines.

People point and stare

and I know they are judging me;

My mistakes, my failures.

But I can't let them hurt me anymore.

I've tried kicking and screaming,

Clawing at the walls until my fingers bleed,

All to no avail.

But now I will prove it to them.

I will break open this cage,

I will take charge of my own life.

I will live, and love, the way I decide.

And the first sound they will ever hear from me

Will be me stepping on broken glass.