Fear soaked, I drag myself upright -

unsteady but true at last,

ready to speak

to the  patient crowd,

whose forebearance lasted out.

Now willing to use my voice-

though weary and torn

by shattered hopes

and shards of spite

swallowed for

far

too

long.

So though trepidation

and much hesitation

threaten to engulf me,

it is no longer enough just to survive

another day,

to be content with grey dusty

grim musty ...silence.

These words within-

sparkled fireworks ignited-

more than sound or noise

but coloured magic of sorts,

exploding airbourne streams of

simple

innocent

laughter-

setting the sky

to rainbow shades.

The crowd raise their gaze in wonder