we cannot talk about some things

because that causes them to happen

We cannot talk about sex

or death or injustice

because they do not exist

we cannot talk

of our experience

because it contradicts others

we cannot speak to each other

because that could build bonds

we cannot speak of the voices

that await us at school

at home and in our heads

we cannot speak

we cannot talk

we are not allowed

(January 21, 2021)