people will tell you not what you need to know
but what they need you to know
they will shape you and mold you to their dreams and beliefs
trying to smooth out the edges and wrap you in a big red bow
for red is what pleases them,
what curbs their thirst.
they will paint your nails, and comb your hair
and drape the prettiest scarf around your head,
all in the scarlet of their values,
the scarlet of their ancestors,
the scarlet of their martyrs.
the bright red that they have fought for,
the bright red they abide by.
the bright red they fear.
they will dip you in it from head to toe
to make you like them, the way they like.
and if you refuse,
if you retaliate,
they will shun you, they will punish you.
they will make your life a bottomless pool of scarlet
and will tie you to a rock
and will send the rock to explore the depths of
that scarlet death.

|dkk|