An Ode to SM | Teen Ink

An Ode to SM

January 30, 2024
By Cam23 BRONZE, Eugene, Oregon
Cam23 BRONZE, Eugene, Oregon
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

When you have so much to say
But your mouth cannot open
Except to those you trust most.


When no one understands
How much pain it causes
To even think about speaking
To someone who isn’t Mom
Or Dad.


When you can’t defend yourself
Or explain yourself
Even to your dearest friends.


When people all around you
Tell you to “just talk”
But you know that’s impossible.


All it takes is a whisper
Into the ear of a friend
Who loves you
And accepts you
And celebrates you

And over time
Keep whispering
To that same special person
Louder
Louder
Louder
Until


You can speak. 
 


The author's comments:

When I was young, I struggled a lot with Selective Mutism, an anxiety disorder in which you cannot speak except to certain people. It was very to hard to communicate and make friends in school. Eventually, I found one special friend who I am still very close with, that I felt comfortable whispering to, and eventually, my confidence grew. If you saw me now, you would never know that I struggled with that as a young kid. If this poem helps other people with the same disorder, then it will have done more than I ever thought it could. 

- Camden


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