Silence

was what our teacher shouted, when we were 7

all in the room gulp, everyone quietens

we weren’t princes and princesses, it was apparent

Silence

was what filled the room, during our first exam

sweat trickles down our foreheads, hands tremble in fear

the clock ticks, everyone as quiet as lambs

Silence

was something at 10 we couldn’t quite understand

we listen to the books, to the papers, to the adults

around our throats, a hand tightly grips

Silence

was what came, receiving those papers marking you as a failure

"it’s not all about the grades, mom. that’s not the only thing that matters right?"

they see the number, they frown, they put you through more torture

Silence

as concepts are explained, we absorb them like sponges

no questions, no doubts, no debates

just pack up afterwards and go for your lunch

Silence

was something at 12, we begin to comprehend

we don’t talk back, we don’t get a say

we listen to their every command

Silence

was something we were taught, from the very start

the syllabus goes on, colour seeps through the cracks

suffocated by words, dreams no longer set us apart

and the rainbow veil of hope, now a grey tattered cloth

silen⎯⎯⎯

Shh, she’s coming. Quick, back to your seats...