I'm afraid to speak.
Opinion or objection,
They will never be taken into consideration.
So I sit or stand and listen and watch in
silence.

You have made me this way.
I blame myself.
It hangs on my shoulders,
pulling me down.

Sorry for being scared,
'a wuss' or 'a baby'.
But you made me this way.
My confidence has gone

It's been crushed
Stubbed out like a dwindling fire.
No life inside.
I'm sorry. I'll try, I'll be brave.

The voice starts to come
But
so does the panic.
The temperature rises and the pounding begins.
Banging at my chest.
My knees go weak and my hands start to shake,
But I tell myself
'I'll be okay.'