quarters

i can't breathe
with these tears
i can't breathe
from these screams
i thought
i thought
i thought
if i spoke out
if i sought advice
the answers would come
and they came
in the form
i can't breathe
i can't breathe
of words.
i never thought words could,
would hurt me.
i thought by telling the
world i would learn.
i would.
i would.
the world gave me
answers,
told me to speak,
breathe
to breathe
they counted my
grey hairs and
asked why i cried,
was crying
was screaming
i can't breathe
i'm falling
i'm falling
when i fell.