LJ IDOL Week 8: No comment
My life has been filled with moments of "No comment".
Also known as, "I'd rather not say", "Everything is fine", and "Why, no....nothing's wrong".
My life has been filled with moments where a comment would have created uncomfortable situations for those around me.
My life has been filled with moments where I remained silent for the sake of keeping the peace.
But as I have grown older, I have learned that keeping the peace is not always the right decision.
~*~
When people would tell me, “Act like a lady.”
I would rebel and lace the bodice tighter.
When people would tell me, “You are too loud.”
I would raise my voice in bawdy song.
When people would tell me, “You act too wild.”
I would laugh and become drunk
on sunshine and moon glow
and dance wildly on the western wind.
~*~
As I have grown older, I have learned that keeping the peace is not the right decision for me.
I was never very good at being a “Lady”. I was always a brassy Wench.
I was never very good at “quiet” prayers. I sang my joy loud and long.
I was never very good at “tame”. I wove daisy chains, dug my toes in sand, and made castles of mud and rocks.
I have learned that “No comment” is not always the wisest decision for me.
~*~
I have found moments when discretion would probably have been the better part of valor, but what is life if nothing but a million learning experiences wrapped into one lifetime.
And with time and lessons comes temperance.
But as a coin has two sides, so does speech. One of the antonyms of temperance is wildness. Freedom. Spontaneity. Uninhibitedness.
And with time and lessons comes the wisdom of when to use each.
I have once again, been accused of being too loud. Too harsh. Too argumentative. Too defensive.
And, I shake my head, as each day brings me more news of hate, fear, terror, and anger.
~*~
Now is not my time to be silent.
Now is not my time to keep the peace.
Now is definitely not my time to make my voice comfortable for you.
~*~
I think we have enough “No comments” in our country. I do not think my voice is needed to make that chorus stronger.
I think we also have enough fear in our country. I think my voice is better suited to that song.
And, I will continue to sing.
~*~
But remember, if you wish not to burn yourself, do not let your spirit soar.
~*~
As for where I found these wings?
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No comment.
