Around me the world buzzes
As everyone speaks and no one
Listens,
And my silence kills me

When I'm right,
I'm quiet
When I'm wrong,
I'm quiet
When I'm asked,
I'm quiet
When I'm told,
I'm quiet

And these thoughts ricochet
Around behind the mask

Of mediocrity and submission
That I wear
for the
world

And the more I hear,
The more I think,
The less I say,
The faster I rot away