I think I never learned to speak

Or, at least, not to stand up for myself

I didn't speak up

I couldn't speak up

Pushed around from an early age

A shopping cart

Bumped, bruised,

Broken. 

Until I didn't want to go on

Whose fault is it though? 

Was it me? Was it them?

I could have ordered them to stop,

refused to be a doormat.

My voice is an avalanche when I find it

My mind turning and churning

I could have gone for help sooner

My chance is gone...

It's too late now.

 

No 

I took my voice for granted

For so long

It was as if I never had one.

I didn't speak up

I couldn't speak up

 

The choice was mine

But

It still is mine

I should speak up

A basic right

I deserve to be heard

Sitting in silence for so many years

That ends

Now.

 

I can speak up.

I will speak up.

Because MY voice is no longer to be taken lightly

By me,

Or anyone else.

Because I deserve to be heard.