I have been condemned since birth

I came into the world surrounded by the words harvard bound

I have been kept in a locked box of consumption

Consumption of math of reading of writing

Of constant and consistent pressure

Kept away so I could remain clean and pristine as a clean pristine baby

So I could consume their wisdom

So I could live up to the standards for me

That were predetermined before my conception

Those around me spilling over with knowledge that I did not have

My perception of them altered by my lack of their supply

Me patiently awaiting their overflow

16 and I am no longer clean I am no longer pristine

I am scarred and bruised and scratched and used

Consumption consumed me until I broke free

Of expectation's chokehold

I consume what I wish to consume

I collect overflow of those whom I respect

Rather than those which expectation demands I respect

I do what I wish with my mind

I do what I wish with my body

The clean pristine box is long gone I presume

Mindless consumption turns to free will

The power to choose what I consume