Inspired by our trip to the leprosy hospital and a conversation that followed.

Silent
I am silent
I am alone
And I am silent

For what can I say?
What have I to say?
What can I offer?
And so I am silent

Still
I am still
I am alone
And I am still

For what can I do?
What have I to do?
What can I offer?
And so I am still

I am silent
And I am still

But I am not nothing

I am still something

I am still someone

And though I am silent
I have something to say

And though I am still
I have something to do

I just don’t know it
I just can’t believe it
I just need…
I just need…

I need someone to tell me
To tell me I matter
To tell me I have something to say
To tell me what I think matters
To tell me that what I say
Can be heard
Should be heard
Must be heard

I need someone to tell me
To tell me I matter
To tell me I have something to do
To tell me what I do matters
To tell me what I do
Can make a difference
Should make a difference
Must make a difference

And I need someone to help me
Someone to open my mouth
To open my eyes
To move my fingers
And to move my legs

Because I can’t
I’m not strong enough
Even with words of encouragement
I’m not strong enough

So please
Take my hand
Look me in the eye
Tell me I matter
And then help me prove it to you
Help me live again
Help me
Please