How hard it is
To be yourself
When everyone is posturing
Even anger has become a performance
Some shout not to be heard
But to be popular.
Can you speak
Will you speak
And how will your speak
Without guarantee of recognition?
You can hide the best of yourself
Just to get along
Maybe that’s not so bad
Some secrets are yours
And yours alone
Parts of yourself that you have not given away
Staying in the shadows
To sustain you.
–Aileen Torres-Bennett
© 2022 Aileen Torres-Bennett
ATB 