A Silenced Heart

      My eyes are mirrors 

reflecting the kind-hearted, innocent girl visible to others.

Revealing an optimistic and cool-headed child.

      My skin color embraces my Hispanic heritage. 

Displaying my cultural pride.

      My smile is a mask

deceiving the naive.

Embracing syrupy sweet memories that once comforted me.

     My voice reflects my well-mannered nature

refraining from speaking out of impulse.

Refraining from revealing unwanted emotions.

     My writer's callus reveals the many sins I dare not speak.

The forbidden secrets that I lock away.

     A silenced heart to bury those secrets.

     A silenced heart to comfort those fears.

     A silenced heart now freed by the pen.