Some days I am a gazelle,
Boundless energy.
The open fields calling my name,
Daring me to run through them.
I am free.

Other days I am a sloth,
Heavy and slow.
The trees keeping me hidden and safe,
Letting me crawl among them,
Even if I’m hardly moving at all.

Inside me I am a cheetah,
But I am being held captive.
Unable to imagine a world beyond the bars that entrap me.
Unable to imagine 
A reality I deserve 
More than this.

By Charlotte Hings