Cannot speak
Cannot talk
My heart pounds
My palms sweat
Everything shakes
Everything breaks
Be silent; Please talk
Be still; We cannot hear you
My silence speaks for me
Is she deaf? Is she mute? Can she speak?
Tears well up my eyes
Lips and mouth so dry
Fingertips so cold
Feet so heavy
Cannot go
Cannot do
Be still and look away
Don't say anything