Photograph

For years I have been

Ripped and nipped and tucked

Into a suffocating mold of

Education and acceptability.

Told to cover up and smile

Chew with my mouth closed and

Keep my opinions tucked away along with

My confidence.

They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words”

And I want my images to boil up

The most honest, vulgar words

The human mind can fathom.

If the truth hurts

Are we being trained to lie?

A photographer’s responsibility is to burn feelings into

The cornea of viewers,

To make their teeth grind and their palms sweat.

I am shattering that old mold one day at a time

I am going to change lives.