I dwell here at the bottom
in misery and rage.
I seek my soul's perfection
here within this cage.

But nothing touches me,
So why should I be free?
And where else could I go?
This cage is all I know.

I love my cage.
Please let me out.

And you who pay to see me
on hideous display--
to point and laugh and heckle,
to stare and turn away--
you fear me but you need me,
the ugliness I've shown,
as if my degradation
could save you from your own.

By bars and chains purgated
as duty does decree,
I'll taste apotheosis
and buy my liberty.