Who Speaks For The Silent?

Your voice, he said, it sounds…different…

Project your voice
I learned in theatre,
speak to the back
keep it strong
don’t falter

I had to replay your message several times….

Hold that note
dig deep –
from the diaphragm
sing from your belly

Must be something wrong with the machine…

Demonstrate conviction
let your tone convey passion
stand tall, be confident
motivate your audience
Dad, the orator, told me

I couldn’t make out your words….

Performance demands voice
activism relies on voice
change requires voice

You sound so…weak…
not yourself at all

I am losing my voice
but not my words;
I have much to say
who will say it for me?

(Who Will Speak for the Silent first appeared here in October, 2015. My voice was the first thing to go at the onset of ME. It would be years before I could speak and sustain a conversation again. In revisiting this poem, it occurs that it is still relevant for all those who do not have a voice, who cannot speak for themselves, so I resubmit here on behalf of Woman’s History Month and am linking up with my weekly challenge, dig. Image my own)

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VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

22 thoughts on “Who Speaks For The Silent?”

  2. Love this. I have never thought that old trope about women screaming hysterically every time they are frightened was true. I know when I am scared or surprised, it is quite the opposite. I totally lose my voice. Your poem is such a powerful reminder of the millions of voiceless around the world.

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  3. Your poem illustrates so well the limitations of being voiceless. Thank you for adding the biographical note at the end of the wonderful poem. Glad you have your voice back. And thanks for the reminder to listen to the those marginalized without a say.

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  6. Beautifully expressed. Thank you for sharing. Just because one does not speak, does not mean they have nothing to say. ❤

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