Frozen Tongue Poem by Louisa Lochrue

Fear of the unknown has numbed me
Too paralyzed to speak
To reach
To span the chasm that divides us
My mouth remains unmoving
The words left unspoken
The curse unbroken

Oh, to step out on an uncertain ledge
Take a leap of faith with arms outstretched
To joyous life, or sudden death
At least, then, I would know for sure.
But within me lies a coward's heart
Too full of pride to do my part
To risk being discarded like a pair of old shoes
For my dignity might be battered and bruised
(As if I have anything to lose)

My penance will be the cold i endure
The passing of each lonely hour
Holding within words practically bursting with power
I hold the key
My secret is locked tight
The cure will never be tried
Would the words bring back returned love?
Or only a harsh blow?
But I will never speak them
So I will never know.