Silence

My mother told me silence is gold, That keeping your mouth shut Is better than blabbering like a parakeet. So at 7, when I fell from a tree That I had very bravely climbed And scraped my elbow majorly, I did not go to anyone, But silently cleaned off The blood and the dirt.

My mother told me silence is gold, That no one really likes someone Whose mouth doesn't stop spewing words. So that one time when I was having lunch All alone in a corner of the school cafeteria And the class bully stood towering over me, One hand on my collar, The other curled up in a fist near my cheek, I silently had my tears for dessert.

My mother told me silence is gold, That it's not cultured To make a fuss out of nothing. So when I was walking down the street After detention at school, And someone pushed me down And stole my bag, I silently came back home and Turned a curtain into my cape.

My mother told me silence is gold, That you needn't speak out the entire world, Everything happens for a reason. So when I was alone that night And Mr Jo came knocking at the door, And left an hour later, leaving me writhing in pain, I silently tried to figure out the reason, For no one comes running for young boys who cry rape.