Expression

Each time of a book being banned I hear

It hurts me personally, I am engulfed by sadness and fear

It means that the voice of someone marginalized

Has been suppressed and the author chastised

For writing about something that does not fit

The narrow world-view of its opponents, the book does not sit

Well with the self-righteous values of some

In a world where “different” books are unwelcome

I should not expect my voice to be heard

I should feel vulnerable expressing in words

My lived experience, knowing it could be

Invalidated by those who do not see

Value in exposure to narratives different

In my authenticity I cannot be confident..

*

Voices can be suppressed, but not indefinitely

With this thought, let me express myself freely