Free To Write

why criticize when you don't even know the pain inside I feel, I do not show you just assume and think that it's alright to voice opinions though they're meant to slight why break what's left of pieces of my heart? the wounds inflicted bleed and sting and smart! I try to smile and bear this heavy pain but censure makes the doubt pour down like rain the burdens that I bear are mine alone remember dear, I'm flesh; I'm not of stone before you throw your words and run to play just stop and think of what you do and say I'm crushed; I'm hurt; I'm angry; can't you see, For you prejudged intent, but don’t know me Perhaps the lines I write reveal my soul "Anonymous" will help to make me whole I wrote of things I know of, things I've seen Perhaps a path on which you’ve never been So please take care when wanting to critique The one behind the poem’s not a freak Where would we be if great ones like Shakespeare Could not write of the gory due to fear What if his bawdy writes were censored too Would world devoid of Literature please you? So live and then let live; let poets free To write of life and death and ecstasy The words once penned will live and testify Of one who lived and now in death must lie Eileen Manassian