The Up & Coming Magazine

I wanted to be heard.

I wanted to be seen.

You said you were scared

To let me go.

So I stayed,

I whispered,

But I wished I could shout.

My voice was loud

But only heard by whispers and shadows in the dark

Adults were blinded by their own light.

“I want to be a star “

But like a deaf dog in the dark.

My pleas fell to the floor

And I chose to let go.

I would wonder what you were like ten years ago.

Young, fragile, ambitious like me

Oh, I see.

Your dream and hopes

Were squashed and crushed down

In a blink of an eye

Like an insignificant vow

That breaks your soul

So to prevent the loss, you shut it up

Before you hear the voice.

I wish you could listen to my choices

Here me when I try.

Read in between the lines.

I said I want to be a star.

But if you don’t seem to help me chase my dream

I will be chasing your silhouettes in the dark.

I feel heard when adults are not around

As by this time I would have been far.

This was written by our contributing writer, Siwaphiwe Matha.

Image Source: Pexels, Alexandro David