When you tell me

To "speak my mind,"

Don't assume by the silence gracing your ears

That I have nothing to say.

People always

Jump to conclusions,

Falling into the trap

That has ensnared many before them.

Just because

I don't immediately start babbling incoherently,

People decide

I'm not going to speak. 

Just because I want to take a minute to gather my thoughts,

People think they can just talk over me-

"She wasn't gonna say anything anyway."

Who decided

That other people can say

When I will or will not speak?

Who gave them the power to decide

For me

Whether or not I'm allowed to take a second and

Breathe

Before I start talking?

Who made the call that says

You have to speak immediately

Or forfeit all rights to speech?

Who says

I'm not allowed to put together 

A coherent thought first?

 

So when you tell me

To "speak my mind,"

Sit down and 

Be quiet for a change.

Let me

Speak.