PERMISSION TO SPEAK

 

Words whither on the tongue

the next step separates the strong from the weak.

To verbalise that which is forbidden

i form the air to speak.

Against the will of others

who deny me my own name.

We are all refugees now

looking for someone to blame.

 

Voices whisper on the telephone line

of secrets written on a page.

That speaks of cruel justice

and fights the inner rage

of knowing there’s a better life

yet still we strut this stage.

 

Somewhere a sunset flowers

while sunrise turns to gloom.

Time is just an illusion

as this cell was once a room.

Hands that held me tenderly

now grip me by the throat

and stifles the sound I fear to form

before I utter a note.