A Childhood Memory

If ever a child was too mature

It was me.

Shut up!

She would shout

He would shout

They would shout

I would shout

But

For what?

I thought...

Maybe it's because I am loud

Is it because I'm talkative?

Is it because I roared in a different voice?

A voice bigger than my mind's eye?

Days would go by and she would

not talk

For she was scared of the voices

That little voice that would say

Shut up once more.

Talk!

Don't talk!

Shut up

Don't shut up!

If ever a child was too mature,

it was me!

With mind impregnated with fear,

Body armed with youth,

Yet on a relentless pursuit to

express oneself,

I was forced to keep my thoughts.

Shaneika Smith

A Childhood Memory