we come to present-day:
we have long worn these tired robes of
stagnant inertia interlocked with nervous trappings
of desperate restlessness.
How I long to
free myself of this straight jacket
some lunatic fought me into
(wasn't he the warden?)
the key he swallowed along with the dignity
of real-life free will.
I resolutely declare myself cured
if only "bullshit" rules didn't have to be adhered to
to become somebody
who is somebody?
--more than anybody?-

I stumble along in this robe
tearing at the sleeve caught round my throat
the gag in my mouth
so my words have not to be heard
so that my words
form mumbled nonsense
the shackled scholars scoff at
on prime time TV.