The Box I’m In | Joyce M Sanders

Don’t box me in, I beg of you,
though I know it’s an easy thing to do.
You want to find a category to put me in,
so to deal with me you know where to begin.

You have a reference guide in your mind
that tells you the behavior of every kind
of person you may meet day to day.
But what happens if we don’t act that way?

Do you accept your stereotypes might be flawed;
your generalizations perhaps a bit too broad?
Or do you keep your distance those times when
you don’t know which box to put me in?

Though you may like my personality
and everything about me that you see,
you must be sure of my cat-e-go-ry
before you decide if you can deal with me.

Why can’t you just accept me as I am?
I’m trying to be the best person that I can.
I’m not a wolf in disguise, primed to attack,
if you trust in me, then turn your back.

Sure, in any group, you will find
some that fit those stereotypes in your mind,
and that may be enough to convince you
that what you believe in must be true.

But, if you open your eyes, you will see
I’m a person, not a cat-e-go-ry.
An individual like no other,
not to be judged based upon another.

And, if you open your mind, you will see
it’s all about individuality,
and you will free yourself the moment when
you free me from that box I’m in.