A Locked Voice

How does one speak with a voice sealed in silence?
A voice locked away by utter fear?
I know this painful curse by heart.
A cursed fear known as shyness...

Over the years I have failed again and again,
To reach out with a spirit of courage.
Am I weak? Surely not...
But then again, I do not believe I am strong.

Day after day when I leave the safety of my fort,
Social opportunities arise from every angle.
But why am I so afraid to reach out?
That remains a question to be deduced.

I know others would dare not to attack me,
Yet, the fear... Oh that damned fear!
Crippling my every attempt to socialize.
My war against shyness rages on.

Battles are won and progress is made,
As my will to succeed grows mightier with every victory.
Someday, my voice will find a way to the surface,
And its cries will be heard by many.

But until that day comes to pass,
I shall continue seeking answers.

Author's Note

Thoughts and opinions?

Reviews

[Lina Grey]

I hear you! I've been fighting the shyness pretty much whole childhood... off and on, cause of my bpd, but anyway i can understand where you're coming from here, and i am certain that soon enough your voice will be heard. you're writing is wonderful, and it will translate into wonderous music someday. i love the hopeful ending on this piece.

[The Watcher]

Thanks Lina. :)

[VelvetRosetta]

Shyness can be very hard to deal with even though most are not self conscious it is just as crippling as a person who is...such as myself, so I can relate to this. Thank you for sharing.

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

Maybe you are silent because you are always listening my dear...maybe it isn't just a innate shyness that you possess but a powerful reaction to a much delusional world. I am a chatty Kathy by adult nature, but as a child I rarely spoke. I seemed solemn and introverted at some points. I disappeared into the wall paper just listening and through those years I gained somewhat of an inner sight if you will. I see that you do indeed have words so it isn't that you are mute or dumb...maybe you are "becoming" as we truly should. First in full self &soul,later to infuse others. Thank you for sharing with us. It was nice to meet another silent watcher:)

[PurpleQuartz]

I know what it is like to be shy! Marvelous poem! Absolutely marvelous!

[Annie29]

You're a great writer, connect that powerful heart of yours to your mouth and friends will surely follow but so will enemies. That seems to be the shy problem, not the fear of making friends, but the fear of making enemies. Great job btw.

[Lost in Wonderland]

"I know others would dare not to attack me,
Yet, the fear... Oh that damned fear!
Crippling my every attempt to socialize.
My war against shyness rages on."
^^I could relate so much to this stanza. Beautiful and sad poem packed with honesty. Great job John!
God Bless

[A.A.Romanczuk]

I too say I am not strong...but life proves us wrong. Your voice shall come out in swelling song as you learn to love and forgive yourself.

[The Watcher]

Thank you so much for the review and advice! =)

[A.A.Romanczuk]

You're deeply welcome :) *trudges off to take a spoonful of her own medicine*

[The Watcher]

Haha =P

[A.A.Romanczuk]

:p

[The Watcher]

You're silly =P

[A.A.Romanczuk]

It's a good way of preventing break downs :D Why yesterday, I was addressing people as pastries - muffins, scones, etc.

[The Watcher]

Wow lol, anger issues? =P

[A.A.Romanczuk]

No :D it just seemed amusing at the time :P Wouldn't you stop in your tracks if someone said "Hello, how is my baklava doing this morning??" The faces and astounded voices were most memorable.

[The Watcher]

Haha, that would be funny. =) Btw, I just messaged you

[A.A.Romanczuk]

message responded to!

[Annabelle Lee]

thoroughly relatable. very descriptive. i could feel what you felt, while reading the poem. nice write

[The Watcher]

Thanks a million

[Annabelle Lee]

absolutely

[what-the-frick]

Been there, most of my childhood, until I hit my teens and, oh, boy. Couldn't shut me up. And that wasn't always a good thing! :) Well done!

[The Watcher]

Thank you so much! =)

[Pax]

i hear you loud and clear. I've been like this once, twice or every other year depends on the situation but i learned of which over and over again, its a fear that is hard to erase but then can be trim down little by little. i just keep in mind that standing in the corner can never take me anywhere. great write, i can relate with it.

[The Watcher]

Thank you very much, and I'm glad you can relate. Shyness is a pain...