My Voice

Find your own voice they say!

But I am in a desert and my throat is parched,

Searching for an oasis of clarity.

They try to help me!

But they are drowning me in a waterfall of their ideas.

I try to speak!

But all I can do is gurgle.

Find your own voice they say!

But I am sick and my throat is sore,

Yearning for a lozenge of courage.

They try to help me!

But they all have their own agendas.

I try to speak,

But all I can do is whisper.

Find your own voice they say!

But I am a puppet and my throat is echoing their words,

Wanting to break free of their control.

They try to help me,

But they are burying my voice.

I try to speak,

But all I can do is parrot.

Find your own voice they say,

But their hands are around my throat.

I am desperate to say what I want.

They are not helping.

They are blocking my voice from ever escaping.

I try to speak,

And I scream, my voice strong!