It was how she spoke
Mumbled under her neglected breath
Her voice never rose among the rest
Convincing everyone she was simply shy
No one asked
No one wondered
about the flame flickering in her eyes
or the thunder that could roll off her tongue
They complained she was too quiet
Yet, when she spoke they shut her mouth
She learned her poetic thoughts didn’t matter
The words painted in passion didn’t interest anyone
Her lips kept tightly sealed
Never to share her love again
Whispering had never seemed so bitter
Her voice poisoned everyone