Losing your voice

1.You lose your voice as a young child when you are hushed for speaking, for laughing, for reaching for a toy.

2. You lose your voice when a teacher disapproves your rabbit that doesn't look like hers.

3. You lose your voice when you are not respected by adults who expect you to respect them.

4, You lose your voice when your gender or sexual preference is diminished.

5. You lose your voice when your rights as a human being are not upheld.

1.I recovered my voice as a woman in circles of women and men who understood.

2.I gained my voice as a poet from my readers.

3.I learned real freedom as an older woman.

4. I have spent my adult life helping others to free themselves from psychological bondage.

5. Our voices need never be less in order for other voices to be more.