Member Poem

I suffer in silence
Because I fear
If I cry out
Someone may hear.
 
And so, I suffer on.
 
I watch from afar
Because I fear
If approach
Someone may see.
 
And so, I watch on.
 
I question in isolation
Because I fear
If I emerge
Someone may answer me.
 
And so, I question on.
 
I wallow in regret
Because I fear
If I accept
I will forget.
 
And so, I regret on.
 
I tremble in terror
Because I fear
If I fear
I will be lost.
 
And so, I tremble on.
 
I love in silence
Because I fear
If I speak
I will have been forgotten.
 
And so, I suffer and watch, and I question and regret, and fear—
 
And so, I am forgotten.