Nature vs. Nurture:The Inevitable Chasm of Not Having a Green Thumb

In early 2022, I challenged myself to write poetry — a poem a day for twenty-one days. Unable to find a suitable place to publish this boxy of work until now, I will publish one piece ever so often. Here's a poem I wrote on the twenith of March:

March 20, 2022

"Enunciate!"

That word. 

That tone of assumed superiority 

To make my voice inferior.

I stammer

I shut down 

Words will no longer come from my scarred tongue 

"Enunciate!" 

Each syllable slaps my flushed cheeks, "E•nun•ci•ate!"

"Speak clearly!"

While simultaneously not giving me space to offer my five cents.

Sharp intake of breath as I crawl and twist my tongue around my gums

Teeth fail to bite the words to express myself 

Speechless,

due to the humiliation —

The shame —

of the lack of clear pronunciation 

My voice left me

Crippled. Alone. Isolated.

Undeserving. Humiliated. Emotionless.

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This poem is dedicated to those that asked me, "Why are you so quiet," but wouldn't be able to handle the answer.