We're all wearing straitjackets

Whether from madness or not

For nature has us by the balls

From our swaddling in the cot

 

The past is a potent constraint

Not canvas and straps of leather

It dictates what's a personality

By a life-long, iron-clad tether

 

Shackles of love and desire are

Merciless in their subtle grip

Marriage ties bind us with ropes

No hide-bound spouse can rip

 

Ambition seems innocent enough

But shortly jails you in its fetters

As you delude yourself daily that

You'll catch up with your betters

 

Bones and skin pinion our health

Our trammels increase every day

Genes and chromosomes chains

To incarcerate and make us pay

 

Though staritjackets go in the end

That corset goes down to the wire

Benevolently unbuckled by angels

Or burned to ashes by infernal fire