I Heard Poem by RIC BASTASA

i heard that to stop your mama
from wasting her life
and all the lives of those who also love her
like you
and your brother and sisters
and even your papa
you decided to choose
silence
extreme, determined, strong, authoritative silence
in the house
for you were once such a lively little girl
dancing in the yard and so sweet with ribbons in your hair
and smiling and laughing at the top of your innocent voice
and then
all of a sudden you embraced silence
and your mama
was stunned, stoned to your quick numbness and afraid about what
people say
that you have become crazy, a product of a broken home
your mama
finally opens her eyes
and for the first time in her life
sees you
a woman who wants to bloom but obstructed by her choking hands
she is so afraid finally
she lets you grow she sets you free she now calls you
your name.