mmmcmxix

(Don’t) Shut Up!

Sometimes,
I am quiet
for what
seems like
an eternity,
but this is
not really
me. This
is out of
necessity,
practical
ity (I used
to have a
lot of folks
with whom
I could and
would freely
speak—at
times with
a fire in my
voice that
would be
met with
as much
red-faced
determin
ation as
I, myself,
could del
iver). To
anyone
who feels
stifled, I
say speak
out, do not
shut up or
down. I
stand with
you, even
if what you
have to say
is at odds
with what
lies at the
depths of
my convict
ions, my
most stead
fast beliefs.

Or yours.
I look for
ward to a
day when
conversa
tion is a
luxury
for me
once
more;
it will
come.
For now,
silence
goes on
with rare
interruptions,
except in my
heart and in
my head and
on this virtual
page where I
speak and I
speak as if
perfecting
language
and honing
the art of
sway, or
this is what
I say to my
self, an in
ward mantra
that bangs like
cathedral bells
behind my eyes
and between my
ears. I’m so 

silent
for now that
when I am loud
I will be so know
ing who I am,
and will do so
with pride and
without a worry
over where I
might could
quickly duck
or scoot to
hide—silent,
so that when
I choose to use
my voice once
more, I will
know with
certainty
that I am
heard.