What is silence?

The simple act of not speaking

Of letting the air linger

A gentle breeze becoming the only sound

Our inner thoughts being the only voice we hear

Is that silence?

Or is it much more?

 

Silence is

A blanket that gently falls

And cover us

And suffocates us

And leaves us weak

Unable to stand up

Making us sleep

Making us dream

Leaving reality alone

 

For silence oppresses us

Squishes us down with its mighty fist

Pressing down harder

And harder

Keeping us weak

Keeping us off of our feet

Letting injustice grow

Unchecked and unbound

 

What will you do when it comes?

When the blanket begins to engulf you

And the pressure of oppression is felt

Will you look the oppressor in the eye?

Will you hold your head high?

 And ask

You’re asking me to be silenced?

To be quiet and simply accept you?

To become a tool?

To become a fool?

To sit down?

To look down?

And allow you to talk for me?

And not talk back?

No.

I will not be used

I will not be quiet

I will whisper

I will talk

I will scream

The kingdom of silence can fall

As I stand tall

And speak

a single word

And from there the word will echo

Into the forest where the villagers lie

Into the city that the workers tend to

Passed the mountains that touch the sky

Passed the oceans of never ending blue

Into the minds of others

The echos will grow

The mind will be freed

 

From that single world

Books will be written

Until the hand cramps

Ideas will be spoken

Until one grasps for air

Movies will be played

Until the projector brakes

Songs will be sung

Until the lungs give out

 

Our voice is a right

A power like no other

That allows us to reach farther

That allows us to become stronger

To stand firm and straight

Unable to be surpassed by hate

By fear

 

So when you grow old

And the story is retold

Of how peace was brought

How hate was fought

And they ask

What was the word?

What was the word the people heard?

You can remain silent

For the echos will remain strong

And they will hear it

Carried gently by the wind

Hope.