Let Whispers Rise

They’ll tell you to polish, to cover, to hide,

To lock up the parts that don’t match their pride,

But a secret will fester, it poisons the vein,

And the lie you protect will just deepen the pain.

So speak the words that scrape your throat,

Admit the scars you thought you’d coat,

The ugliest truths, will still set you free,

And crumble the walls so they cease to be.

You’re not the story you’ve tried to erase,

For you are the fire leaving that place,

Stand in your light, tho the crowd may stare,

Their judgment won’t burn what is already bare.

Let the whispers rise, let the rumors crawl,

No weapon can pierce what has felt it all,

Your power begins when you end the pretend,

And the truth, once heavy, becomes your best friend.

Cathrine Hottran 2025