Free?

Middle of the night
no sound of waking
the masses slumber on
as the dawn awakes

Light begins to filter
through the fabric of the night
new day beginning to stir
as shadows take shape

Silence hangs heavy in the air
in this former lively place
while all about begin to shift
as a new day they make their own

Sounds beginning to pierce
the still and sleepy air
to invade their minds and bodies
the shrill of an alarm, raising bodies from beds

Thoughts returning to those who can't be here
thinking of how much they'd like it...now
sat in solitude away from the crowd
drinking in the silence before chaos descends

A fleeting moment taken for oneself
with no rules or judgement, only me to satisfy
the thing we all miss the most....ourselves
finding the time and space just to be

Resting here in a place of friends and strangers
so full of joy and laughter
but still having to fit the mold
that others have cast you in

What would people say if they saw me
quiet and reflective in the early hours
would they recognise me as the person from before
the carefree party girl who always entertains

Would they actually leave me to be?
Would I really want them to see?
Do we all consciously try to shape ourselves
into the form we want to portray?

Are any of us really free?