Listen to my Voice

Are You Listening?

A Poem by Meagan Frank:

There’s something I need to tell you

About how I want to play

But I don’t think how you listen

You hear all I have to say.

I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you.

It would kill me if I did.

So I’ll do my very best

And I’ll say it like a kid.

It isn’t always words I use:

My messages unclear.

I do try hard to tell you, though

It’s playing I hold dear.

Play is what I’m after

As I seek my happy place.

Just watch me run and challenge:

A proud smile on my face.

I wish the fun could stay there

But business creeps right in.

It no longer feels like playtime

When I’m told I have to win.

You don’t listen to my language

As my eyes glance down in shame.

I cannot even look at you

’Cause of how I’ve played the game.

You don’t listen to my message

When silent tears do roll

I’m sad I let you down

’Cause I didn’t score that goal.

Slouching, I try to tell you

Something heavy weighs on me

It’s ’cause I’m in adult games

No fun playing there, you see.

You yell to try to help me

But it makes me hold quite still

Unsure how I can please you

No way to do your will.

Those angry words that swirl about

They come in from the side

Louder than what I can say

So I give up. I tried.

My voice presents in different ways

Depending on my age.

You have to hear me differently

As I journey through each stage.

Or by the time I grow my voice

And words are there to say

I’ll tell you I cannot go on

Your games are not for play.

You’ll say I never told you

But that simply isn’t true.

There have been so many ways

I have tried to speak to you.

It doesn’t have to be this way

There is another choice

Just pay closer attention

And listen to my voice.