don't speak

don't breathe life into the thoughts, the weakness, all of the pain, and the anger,
keep them quiet, keep them hidden and small, let them wither in the darkness
because they will surely manifest in the light
they will grow  arms and legs and they will inhale deeply and walk tall

keep quiet

and smile

let your silence strengthen you
let the words you long to speak, to scream, to hiss through your gritted teeth
fortify you,
let it straighten your spine
let it warm you when all you have is your will to keep the things you long to say restrained and guarded
because if you let them loose, set them free, give them life
they will grow wings and breathe fire and crush everything in their path
they will be larger than you, larger than life

and they will live forever