This is a song with measured words –
(must fight to make the thought remain)
These verses shall remain unheard,
(How easy, how free the flight of birds
thought the little girl at her hopscotch game)
This is a song with measured words –
my tongue's been broken into thirds –
(shh, shh, the hush of shame)
These verses shall remain unheard;
a child a mother the drunken slurs
(a crash a broken window pane)
This is a song, with measured words,
of a house where the unspeakable occurred –
(her glinting eyes and unwavering aim)
These verses shall remain unheard
because the secrets were interred –
the accused, forgotten, as was my name –
This is a song with measured words
These verses shall remain unheard