SILENT VOICES SPEAK: 06/15/12

MISSION STATEMENT

SILENT VOICES SPEAK started out as Silent Voices: A Writer’s Workshop, as the first group at the drop-in center at the Broadway location of Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, whose purpose is to empower it’s attendees to form and attend their own groups.

We have branched out as an independent entity. We are silent no more. We say yes to the creative possibilities of life & art...

The mission of SILENT VOICES SPEAK is to give a voice to people who are disenfranchised. Many of the participants in SILENT VOICES SPEAK are also visual and/or performing artists.

Membership is open to all.

Send submissions to lizhipwell@gmail.com.

Friday, June 15, 2012

DUEL by Jeanne Cord

The battle rages
Trapped in cages
Lock down
Bars
Straps
Contain
We fight
To remain
Whole
We fight the
Battle
Come out
Into the
Light
We are tattered
But we remain
We sustain
We go on
The fight is mean
No one plays clean
They do not follow
The rules
For war
They came
To settle the
Score
Damnation
Hell
But you could
Never tell
Rose petals strewn
Buildings in ruin
Bombs dropping
People fleeing
Babies dyin'
Famine
Aids
The price
Is paid
A world
Shattered
Countries
That never mattered
Written
Right off
The maps
Generation gaps
The Devil storms
he shows
he knows
But God
Fights back
Ready
For the attack
God arms his soldiers
With words of love
Touches of kind
You will
Find
If you just stay
The duel
Dwindles
The fight
Dies down
Love will
Prevail
Don't be swindled
By anyone
Who advertises a false
Sale
Fight the duel
And win
Cast away your
Sins
Turn it over
God will
Prevail
He offers a sweet deal
Don't give up
Fight
Go away from the night
God loves y'all
No matter how many times
You fall
Your crimes
Omitted
All sins you committed
Forgiven
Turn to Him
The only one
No matter what ya done
No need for perfection
Unconditional affection
Say yes y'all
Come to Him
Hear his call
The duel
ENDS
-Jeanne Cord

SILENCED by Therese Staples Burton

I begged for more information.
I hungered for more knowledge.
The class around me laughed and groaned.
Sensations of shame flashed through me.
Humiliation kept me silent.
Still I hungered for more.

I asked a question with a need to know.
My teacher begged forgiveness.
I answered my own question, was my understanding correct?
Why don't you teach the class!?
They sneered as the teacher flushed red.
Humiliation kept me silent.
Still I hungered for more.

I answered the question with proper terminology.
The instructor looked lost and confused.
She asked another, who gave a simple answer.
Her reply brought approval, mine, nervous laughter.
Inside I felt the familiar pain.
Humiliation kept me silent.
Still I hunger for more.
-Image & Words by Therese

UNTITLED by Rolanda Hill

I never had a good life while I was a little child. But I can say one thing...I want my life to be good and happy. I want to enjoy my life living in Paradise some day living my life to the fullest.
-Rolanda Hill