Hush they told me every day.
No dreams had I not washed away.
I'm but a statue outside of Eden
crackng, fading...my smile's misleading.

I was told that I am a monsterous thing
and forced to wear chains that clink & cling.
Weighed down by that force...that hush.
Muzzled into silence in love's quick rush.

Forced to perform as a tiger upon stage.
My claws filed...unexpressed is my rage.
Battered and bruised till soul did confirm
I no longer craved life, I wanted death's burn.

Friends left my side when the darkness came.
Hush they said...promised there'd be no pain.
But the heart of a ghost is a heart none the less
and the pain was more than I care to confess.

Through life I floated, a petal upon the breeze.
A weak soul was I, no prayer to my knees.
Corrupted by people who held beasts within.
They mocked me...the tortured me...I have sin.

I have wished for justice and I've wished for more
to make this life worth dying for.
They made me a monster. They broke my will.
They removed my heart. Hush, be still.

I remember. I remember what was done to me.
Memories are escaping. They yearn to be free.
Don't think that I've forgotten how you turned around
when you left me curled and shaking on the ground.

You may have wounded my body and robbed my soul
but this tiger's still pacing...you've no control.
For I will pounce in fight and recaim what is dust
and return it to the earth while whispering hush...

Dear, dear world...you love to watch too much pain
but when the wounded rise, our anger will not refrain
from seeking out whom we believed caused us harm.
Did God give us vengeance or is that the devil's charm?

So, you say I have no dreams and I should break each mirror
for if anyone saw me, they'd be stalled from their fear.
I know I'm not beautiful and my life is so-so
but that doesn't give you the right to run my show.

Rumor about me, you'll see I no longer care.
You are but monsters and monsters simply aren't there.

©March 6, 2006 Lori S. Maynard
8:07-8:24 p.m.
(took longer to write because I had to write it by hand while computer was down)