She says nothing

And today again she said nothing

For long she had always spoken

But most times they didn’t listen

And when they did, she got a scolding

 

So she got used to the silence

Her mind the only place

Conversations could happen, unjudged

 

And she spoke to herself

Music her only solace

As it spoke for her

Without judgment

 

She pretended not to care

But I saw it in her eyes

When she looked away

After another statement

Cut her open, revealing her vulnerable side

 

I wish I could say something to her

Anything, to remind her

That it never was her fault

That she could speak

            That someday, somebody will listen

 

But I worry                                                     

That I may just hurt her even more

By exposing the lie she lives in

So I spare her a smile

In hopes she remembers

How to speak her mind

Even when they try and silence her