Inside/Outside Poem by Megan Frame

On the inside
Notes are pleading to get out.
Beseeching me to free them
From the confinement of my mind.

On the outside
You tell me that you can’t concentrate
When I plunk the keys so loudly,
So I cannot play right now.

On the inside
My mind is flooded with emotion.
I want to yell at you for being so selfish.
I want to pour out my frustrations to my piano.

On the outside
I say ok and leave my seat and my song
And silently make my way to my room.
On the outside I’m submissive.

On the inside,
I wonder how long I can keep this hostility inside,
Before the dam that holds me back breaks
And all my frustrations flow free.

On the outside
I remain a servant to your will
And lie in wait for the moment that you leave
and I no longer have to hide my song.