UNHEARD
Watching and knowing
I understand much more than you think
My lips part
And words flutter in the air
I watch them fall
Treated with disdain
And laughter

You who love and share your life
Of course know much more than I

Put your hand in the air
"What would you know"
To my words of advice
And comfort

And so I learn
Over spaces of time
To swallow my words
Don't let them escape

But before I bow to
Your wishes of silence
One more sentence
One more statement
To tell you

Insignificance is a slow death