A poem titled "Shut up and don't speak"

This is a poem written and inspired by me. I hope you enjoy it. 

"Shut up and don't speak"

Words that were said to me

Words that I have often said to myself

Words that I believed

"Shuuuu and don't speak"

"You have nothing intelligent to contribute"

"You have nothing tangible to contribute"

"Your contribution is stupid"

Words I have heard

Words that I have often said to myself

Words that I believed

"Don't ask questions"

"Your questions are silly"

"Your questions are stupid"

"Your questions are daft"

Words I have heard

Words that I have often said to myself

Words that I believed

"Don't open your mouth"

"Don't say a word"

"Don't embarrass us"

"Don't say a word"

Words I have heard

Words that I have often said to myself

Words that I believed

And then, one day,

I spoke

There was some laughter

There was some murmuring

I was told to shut up and not speak

But I refused

I spoke

and no matter the noise to shut me down

I spoke

All those years I shut up just not to be laughed at

Just not to be called stupid

Just not to embarrass others and me

Just not to be seen

I opened my mouth and spoke

I asked questions

I contributed

And I didn't care about the reactions

And I said to myself

I will speak

I will ask questions 

I will speak even with the cacophony of overwhelming utterances

I will not shut up

Poem by LS

16/05/2017