Come in, get out; come back, you’re stuck here forever.

Oh. I didn't see you there.

You're not from around here, you say?

Okay, I'll show you around.

Here we have the girls.

Why are they in glass cases, you ask.

Well, they're put on display, of course.

The world says they loves them.

"Ladies first,"

"Hold the door,"

"Let her cut the line."

This point of view isn't mine.

Girls are strong enough not to need special privileges,

Although it's nice and sometimes we want it,

All we're trying to do is fit in.

We can't love ourselves too much, see?

Once the caste system kicks in, the self-lovers that secretly hate themselves are at the top.

The self-loathers who once loved themselves fall below.

You wouldn't know.

You don't live here, you say.

Then we get to the boys in cages, forced to live a certain way.

"Bro, don't be gay,"

"You have to act like us,"

"Don't do that, don't like this thing, or else your face will pay."

Speaking of all this, why are you still here today?

You don't belong,

Be on your way.

Society thinks you shouldn't stay.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Welcome to Society: this one isn't my poem, I just thought you would like it.

"Welcome to society,

We hope you enjoy your stay,

And please feel free to be yourself,

As long as it's in the right way,

Make sure you love your body,

Not too much or we'll tear you down,

We'll bully you for smiling,

And then wonder why you frown,

We'll tell you that you're worthless,

That you shouldn't make a sound,

And then cry with all the others,

As you're buried in the ground,

You can fall in love with anyone,

As long as it's who we choose,

And we'll let you have your opinions,

But please shape them to our views,

Welcome to society,

We promise that we won't deceive,

And one more rule now that you're here,

There's no way you can leave."

- e.h.