Beech Tree News Network

A VOICE SILENCED

I -wanted to change the world; To change the way we all learn.

The dream that budded in my youth, took root and flourished,

after participating in a miracle, partnering with God,

when new lives were brought into this world.

To create; to construct; to play, while we learn.

Demolish structure and constriction, enlarge the classroom

to include the whole planet; what a dream, but alas, the dream

slowly withered, for I neglected my own learning, out of bitterness.

A voice of hope never emerged; it became, a voice silenced.

I -wanted more than anything to just fit in; to belong; be included.

Started at the bottom, for some reason, soon moved,

to the head of the class. Once I learned to read, I became,

very good at it, an example to all the rest, but something was missing,

the daily grind, the repetition, was something I dreaded.

I learned differently but nobody seemed to care, or even notice.

I did not fit in and never would, it seemed, so I withdrew within,

where it was safe, a voice filled with promise, became a voice silenced.

I- know fear, all too well, so well, I took it for granted,

as though fear was a natural part of going about, life.

Never one for confrontation, meekness, mistaken for cowardliness.

It was not a weak spirit, motivating my actions,

but the fear of being alone, no one to call my own.

Fists and intimidation, manipulation of my insecurities,

became all too familiar, pushing hard against attempts to fly free.

A voice that yearned to sing, became, a voice silenced.

Ignored, disposable; that's what my words became to you,

they held no intrinsic value, though they spoke often of compassion.

Inspiration; just a side-note, it did not help the bottom line.

Ah, greed and money how can words about respect

and wisdom, possibly compete; loyalty, fortitude, hope, faith, love;

these are of little worth, when pursuit of mammon rules your world.

Seeking just a small haven, from whence to enlarge Compassion's realm,

 a small, quiet voice, became a voice silenced.

In anger, I lashed out, committing a crime against society, they said.

Frustration, angst, desperation, all had a tight grip on my soul.

Unyielding poverty, coupled with glorified violence and

little hope of finding a way out, gave rise to the notion that

the only value I had was, what I could somehow take from others.

Now bars of iron and walls of stone, keep me locked away.

Yet for all their strength, they crumble; beneath

the weight of injustice. A voice of potential, becomes a voice silenced.

A demon, a monster; made its way inside my home, smirking in glee.

Cancer, was the name they gave this beast from the depths of hell.

It took my strength, it took my dignity, it took what made me; me.

No longer a man with two strong arms to work and wit to play.

What was left, but a shell, wondering at what I missed,

fearing what might yet come or that I might cease; to be.

Who are we? We are the forgotten child, still begging to belong,

the abused wife, the prisoner, the cancer victim.

Please; don't let our voices be silenced!

Dedicated to all the -I's- who found themselves among these words.