I Was Not Raised to Be Silent

The Voice Within
I was not raised
to be silent.
I was not raised
to bow
or shrink
when the world
told me to.

Sparking Through Fear
I was raised
to speak
even when my voice
trembled.
To speak
even when it
echoed
against walls
that refused to listen.

Challenging the Rules
I was raised
to ask questions
that made grown men
uncomfortable.
To challenge rules
that made women
small.
To carve my name
into spaces
that told me
I didn’t belong.

Breaking Silence
I was not raised
to wait politely
for permission
to exist.
I was not raised
to whisper
in corners
or
dim my light
so others could shine.

Rising and Roaring
I was raised
to roar.
To stand
when the ground
quaked beneath me.
To lift my hands
and my voice
and demand
the world
acknowledge me.

For Every Woman
I will speak
for every woman
who has been told
to hush.
For every girl
whose laughter
was trimmed
so it wouldn’t annoy.
For every soul
pushed aside
because silence
was easier for them.

Final Declaration
I was not raised
to be silent.
And I will not
be quiet.