Why ever be afraid to say the things
that need be said – a paradox that keeps
the words shut tight eventually ignites
a fuse that frees unbound calamity.
To hold a liquid tongue, arrest the pen
in writing eager lines which leapt to mind
begins a process you’ll regret, becomes
the threatened key to turn incendiary.
Better to deflect the barbs of bitter
words rejecting, shield erect and ready,
than withstand a gnawing fear of chances
missed & borne within as eager cancers.
So where my silence may efface a choice
I choose the noisy route and give a voice
before I bite my tongue; you only think
my unvoiced silence meant consent.
© 9 May 2008, I. D. Carswell
I enjoyed reading your poetry! I intend to come back.
ReplyDelete