Silenced

It surprises me
How often we are told:
"Quiet down,
Listen, don't talk.
Don't be rude,
You're wrong."

How we are told
To be just like each other,
To silence ourselves
And absorb the preachings
Of those who
'Know better'

How we are mocked
"That's stupid
How could you say that?
What's wrong with you?
Ignorant fool
Thinking you can speak your mind."

How we are silenced
Ignored
Left out
Hushed up
Hidden away
Just because we're 'wrong'.

And how it makes us feel weak,
So we give up trying,
Give up saying,
What we know
Is right.