Maverick Poet Award Finalist: “On Speech” by J. Everett Wilson

J. Everett Wilson is a Tennessean poet, whose writing centers mostly on mental health and advocacy. They care deeply about giving a voice to those who have been silenced. Their poem “On Speech” is reflective of that, and comes from their own experience being silenced as a child and beyond.

On Speech 

By J. Everett Wilson

When I was a child,

I opened my mouth

And to my utter surprise,

A flower came out.

It was a simple red rose

As small as a snail.

(I still speak in flowers

When words simply fail.)

But when I was little

I was told not to talk,

So I sewed up my mouth

And let the flowers all rot.

Now my teeth are pure porcelain

And I still clench them tight

Whenever I’m asked

What’s wrong or what’s right.

Because once I was told

To be seen and not heard,

Now I’m unsure

If I’m allowed to have words.

Then I notice these kids,

All so quiet and meek,

And I wonder what grows

If we just let them speak.