by Marlo Wilt
Silent voices
screaming to be heard.
No one hears them,
no one hears their words.
Feeling caged,
hoping for liberty.
Everyone stares
unsure of what they see.
Silent voices
wishing to express
the pain they feel
and their hopelessness.
They stand to speak,
but a loud voice is heard.
No chance to start,
a loud voice shares his words.
“These children have everything,
but don’t do what they’re told.
I have given them so much,
even let them play with gold.
“I threw them feasts and parties
hoping they would forget
all the abuse they endured
the reasons they had wept.
“I gave them music to dance
and money for them to see,
their great hope and bright future
is found solely in me.”
Silent voices
reaching out their hands,
the loud one sees,
but unmoved he stands.
He says, “Now I am tired.
I’m weak and I’m old.
Forgive me, Lord,
but my heart’s turned cold.
“I was there to help,
But didn’t care to stay.
If you beg me nicely
I could also take you away.
“Away from this land
full of filth and rot
to my great home
where joy can be bought.”
Silent voices
hope for someone to see.
They reach out their open hands
and beg for sympathy.
“Your voice will stay silent
for my audience is bigger.
My hands have gold,
yours only have fingers.”
Silent voices
screaming to be free,
but only gold
people choose to see.
Comments