Every time they yelled at you

Every time they raised their hands at you

Every time they made a fool of you

I wanted to protect you

 

But I stayed silent

I too was a child 

I too was a child without any support 

Without any courage

 

Should I have spoken?

Had I broken my silence,

Would you be free?

Would I have been able to save yourself and me?

 

I should have helped you

I shouldn’t have been afraid of the consequences 

I should have been there for you 

Without questioning myself

 

I was scared 

I’m sorry that I was scared

I too wanted to be there for you

But I couldn’t even help you

 

I should have spoken for myself 

I should have stood up for you too

But I believed in the power of silence

When I should’ve been able to be with you. 

 

Dristi Rajak

Grade XII

St Mary’s Secondary School, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur