Work Text:
A common phrase for people who are too quiet, too shy. A common phrase I used to hear all the time. I was too soft, too nervous. I never spoke up. People don’t like when you’re too quiet. It means you let people walk all over you. It means you can’t speak for yourself. It means you are nothing because you don’t have a voice, at least not one you use. Speak up. A common phrase I never hear anymore. A common phrase I haven’t heard in years. Now I’m told I’m too loud. People don’t like when you’re too loud. It means you don’t let people voice their own thoughts or opinions. It means you’re obnoxious and annoying. It means you’re too much of something nobody wants. Yet l have spent too long being quiet. Too many times have I heard that oh so common phrase. And so now nobody will ever tell me to speak up. I will never keep my voice down again.