When I speak
My voice is white noise
Other noise is block
constricting and draining

You choose to ignore
and perpetuate my isolation
"Listen," into the void
"Just Listen," I scream

"Hear me," I cry out
blank stares that walk by
"Am I not a person
who deserves to be heard?"

"Damn you," I tearfully wail
in the desolate night
longing for someone,
Even God to hear

Another day comes
and goes with my presumed silence
But one day someone
will pause in their wanderings

They will gain sight with a
meaningful, slightly confused stare
They will listen to no other noise
Only me, my voice, my words

They will respond quietly
and may speak the words
that I long to hear
"Thank you for speaking up,"

But here I wait
Even when my vocals are weak
Even if My bones tire of the strain
Speaking out and up