Unheard

T'was a regular family dinner

My least favourite uncle was there

The long meal was almost over

Time for coffee cups and dessertware

*

The discussion soon had turned

To politics and adult things

With voices now sounding concerned

About what the future may bring

*

I'd always been old for my years

And enjoyed deep conversation

So I stayed there, opened my ears

Taking part in the discussion

*

I don't remember the subject

But this time, I uttered through tears

"All those who suicide elect,

I think I understand their fears."

*

These were strong words for a young mouth,

But nobody seemed to hear them

The arguments went back and forth

And I, alone, was feeling numb.

*

They simply kept on talking

As if I hadn't been there

Nobody had been listening

To my overwhelming despair.

*

I am not sure what happened then

I think I got up in a haze;

I never voiced that fear again

For no one cared for my malaise

*

Today's OctPoWriMo's prompt was "Everyone went on eating". Well, for me, the meal was almost over, but this is the incident that came to mind.

I know that if a teen of mine were to utter these words, I would certainly pick up on it and ask them about it in a private setting. I wouldn't just let it go and dismiss it as non-sense, or unimportant.

I guess I'm healing from that wound, as writing it didn't make me cry, but the tears are pooling just there, on the rim of my eyelids, like they did back then.