Speak

Those eyes sparkle with

unshed tears.

Your pain is all

too obvious,

doubled over a heart

that aches terribly.

It hurts so much,

yet you don’t cry out.

You’ve made an art

of hiding pain,

masking it with

a superficial smile.

It is enough to

deceive me,

but I know you better.

 

I read you.

I feel the sadness

rolling off from

your body.

It is a silent killer.

You don’t want to admit

that you hurt

deep inside.

Concerned, my eyes

waver from your head

down to your toes.

“Fine,” you say.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Still, I do.

 

I can’t know the source.

I can’t understand

your experience.

Tell me if it hurts

because I can’t know

if you don’t speak.

When you do,

the pain will ooze out

from your soul

and into mine.

It will be our pain

and not just yours.

Just speak

a few words.

It will all flow together

from there.

Don’t think yourself

foolish to feel.

I understand,

and I am here for you.

 

Just speak.

Author's Note

Just speak if it hurts. I can't know unless you tell me.