Quiet Voices

“don’t be shy” they tell me “open up” “tell me what you’re thinking” I look out at my window at night, And see my apple tree, I wonder what it would be thinking, If it had been born as me. Would it look at the zipper on my purse And think of the worker who clasped it on Does she tire of repetitive tasks? Was she thinking of her mom? I see a rollie pollie Walking in the dirt And I wonder if it sees The flowers on my skirt I think of all the thoughts unspoken And ideas spoken but not heard Quiet voices in our concrete jungle Drowned out as the lion purrs I wonder, who will listen to The quiet voices in the night And I realize It must be me