I Have a Voice

I am only one voice

But I am a voice

If there will be change

I must speak out

I must cry out

I must reach out

With my voice

If I do not step up

And speak out

My silence

Speaks for me

I am only one voice

In a cacophony of voices

Mine may get lost

In the cries of the crowd

Yet, on every platform

On every stage 

In every pulpit or soapbox

I have a voice

I may be crude and raw

I may lack finesse and eloquence

But my silence

Is far less acceptable 

You may not hear me

You may choose not to listen

This changes nothing

I still have a voice

I will speak my pain

I will speak my rage

I will speak my love

I will speak my peace

Some may not give attention 

Others may not care

Still, I must speak

I have a voice

There is hurt there

But hope lives there as well

In the nuances and inflections 

The sum of my experiences 

This 

This is my voice

These

These are my words

I have a voice

© Ron Simpson Jr. 

May 30, 2020