I cannot love you silently
In a place where silence can be cruel
Though it isn’t what you want from me
Love speaks its mind, as a general rule

I’ve suffered ambush in darker days
I’m scarred from battles I’ve often lost
Those I loved, in their selfish ways
Left me alone to pay the cost

And so I’ll stand with you, or run
And hope together we can grow
Till no one’s left, or the battle’s won
This is the only way I know

Love speaks its mind, as a general rule
Though it isn’t what you want from me
In a place where silence can be cruel
I cannot love you silently

08/20/2003 III

Tags: family, poetry, sister