outspoken

I was told to be out-spoken

but how can I be when

so often I've been spoken out

out of the playground

out off the bus

not a sound, never one sound

taken out to avoid the fuss

how can I be when

I'm so soft-spoken

never one word above the other

never have I given

anyone the f- word

or the n- word, even

when I was down-trodden

and I never bother

I just want to have fun

but people hold on

they hold it up against you

like you have to be outspoken

or they'll tread on you

they make a hell

out of a possible heaven

and you can tell

it's such a burden,

such a burden

speak up, speak out

step up or step out

I guess I'm more in-spoken

perhaps I'm broken

but I pay attention

I'm not a bespoke human

but I like to be spoken to

even though it doesn't show

even though between me and you

I prefer to be alone

and be unspoken

biding my puns

honing my lines

because let's face it

when it comes to words

I have more grit

and more guts

than all of you cowards