Roar, Woman, Roar.

Do you know how many things I’ve never said out loud

just so I could make my daddy proud?

Do you know how many words I’ve learned to say

that will never see the light of day?

Do you know how many smiles have replaced opinions

just so I avoid divisions?

Do you know how many times I’ve tamed my loud mouth

just so things don’t go south?

Do you know how many things I’ve pretended not to know

just so these gentleman could put on a one man show?

Do you know how many short skirts

have replaced my outbursts?

Do you know how many times I’ve pretended not to be sad

just so he won’t get mad?

Do you know how clean I’ve kept the dollhouse

like a good little mouse?

Do you know how many diamonds I’ve worn around my neck

to trap the words and keep them in check?

Do you know how familiar my pillow is with my tears

after all these years?

Do you know how many games I’ve pretended to play

and how many kings I’ve chosen not to slay?

- - - - - - - - - - -

I can hear the monitor beeping,

I can hear the time running out.

I don’t want to lose myself,

so it’s time to scream and shout.

I am more than skin and bones.

I am more than I’ve pretended to be.

And although it’s a terrifying thought for some,

I can do more than just agree.

So hear hear, here now.

No longer will I bow.

I’m going to say everything out loud

and make my mom and daughter proud.