Adena M'lynn's Voice

 In class Thursday evening, we explored how silence can be both a comfort and a cage. We talked about how spoken word gives us permission to let the quiet places inside us speak out loud. From that discussion, this piece was born. It’s called “Rust in the Silence”— a reminder that even the words we bury, the truths we try to swallow, will find their way out. And when they do, they don’t come out polished.  One of my greatest inspirations,  Maya Angelou, once wrote of a caged bird that sings—not because it is free, but because song is the only way the spirit can break beyond the bars. This piece was born from that same truth. My silence was not golden; it was rust—corroding, pressing, weighing me down until my voice clawed its way back. Rust in the Silence is a reminder that even the words we bury, the truths we try to swallow, will find their way out. And when they do, they don’t come out polished—they come out jagged, trembling, and real. “Rust in the Silence” They told ...

by adena m’lynn My body was not my own Taken without consent Forced to endure the violence of his loin. My spirit battered and bent Too young to comprehend The evil he portends Stealing what wasn't his to take Leaving scars that forever ache He convinced me of his love,  Yet locked me in silence with every shove, Trapped in fear's cruel vice Fate was nothing more than a roll of the dice The pain he caused haunts me still  But I'm healing  Shedding shame that wasn't mine As I find my voice and say No more will he have power All secrets brought to light My spirit will now fly unbroken  I emerged from his blight.