"Speak your mind," they say.

We're told to roam freely with the words in our heads.

Put it in writing and tell everyone what you're thinking.

But I realized something about speaking my mind.

When I do speak my mind, nobody seems to care.

When my words are heard, what is there more than the criticism of my thinking?

When my words are heard, what is there more than the comments of my ignorance?

When my words are heard, what is there more than the discomfort of my listeners?

Speaking my mind is suppose to relieve the weight of my thinking.

To subsidize the pressure of my own thoughts pounding against my skull.

If I was to truly make myself heard, would you really listen to what I had to say?

Would you listen and care for the words that I speak?

Or would you listen and criticize me of immature teenage mind?

So now, I ask one favor of you. 

When you tell me to speak my mind, please be willing to care.