for the silent ones

like you,i was silent too
brought up to be seen and not heard
quiet,obedient,withdrawn-
i knew what was going on
but i could not articulate it
till i found the alphabet
in the tongues of those around me
found wings of vocabulary
rejoiced in listening(deeply)
to everyone and everything
Watched from a distance the difference
between actions and speech
Years passed.They still do-
only faster now,with no certainty
i speak to you that it is safe to take risks
Speech is as natural as breathing
Listening and watching are art forms too
but what you create and communicate is unique to you
I will not ask you to speak before your time
Nor to dance with everyone watching
I just ask you to consider the possibilities
that trust is an earned measure
and you are worthy of your own
so when your time has come
rise up with wings of words
and never look down!
FOR SCHREINER CIRCLES (HIGHER! April 14,2010