Society vs. The Individual

I want to choose, but life’s demands refuse;

     still, with intent, I spin these lines in rhyme.

The world denies, distorts what I would use,

     yet I hold course in this unyielding clime. 

From birth, we’re formed in crowded public schools,

     taught lessons, tamed, and channeled to graduate; 

they save us from becoming “useless” fools,

     yet steal the time to dream and self-create. 

I want the space and freedom for my path,

     my way (to guard the sovereignty of my thoughts);

never again will my hard-won, applied math

     enrich the suits whose souls are sold for naught. 

By Ngoc Nguyen

From: United States