Speak

    As long as I don't speak, my words can't be held against me. When I don't speak, no one gets angry over the words that are said. When I don't speak, I don't suffer pitying looks over what happened. When I don't speak, no one is hurt but me. When I don't speak, it's easier to pretend to be okay.

    When I speak, no one listens. When I speak, I'm called a liar. When I speak it's "for attention." When I speak, I get yelled at. When I speak, my words are blamed for hurting people. When I speak, it's said how I don't speak enough. When I speak, I'm told I speak too much.

    You see, when I don't speak, I don't exist. I'm lonely but it's only hurting me. I don't speak or get spoken to. No one can hurt me if they forget I'm there. 

    When I speak, everything I say upsets someone if not everyone. No matter what I say, someone regrets me saying it. That is, when people bother to listen. Whether I speak or not, I lose. 

    Words are weapons not to be wielded lightly. When I don't speak and my weapon is put away, I'm the one to get stabbed. When I speak and my weapon is new and sharp, people complain of the cuts they asked me to deliver.

    So tell me, do I speak or do I not?