Speak Up

//speak up

Speak Up
by Liz Southwood
(c) 9/22/00

My throat is warm
with anticipation.
What will it be like?
Will it work, and not hurt?

Will it be clear and
sweet as crystal chimes
or husky as a smoker’s -
a songbird warbling or
a crow cawing,
or whispers in a fog?

My stomach clutches.
Will I still feel like me?
Will the cat come when
I call? Will I seem
like a stranger
in the dark
of the night?