They Say
____by Rodney Morris

They tell the child not to cry;
the child was dry as stone.
They told the child that he must try;
the child did not condone.

They tell the child not to speak;
the child was as quiet as deafness.
They told the child that he should seek the best;
the child did not hear their distress.

They tell the child to do as told;
the child was obedient; a bird in a cage.
They told the child that he would be scolded;
the child did not peep, was silent, ironically filled with rage.

They tell the child that all is his will;
the child in essence was their pawn.
They told the child to be an individual;
the child did not respond.