I learnt to cry silently – a poem

I learnt to cry silently
As the tears rolled down my face
Like a river who had burst it’s bank
My face flowed and flooded
Wet like a tent in a storm
Yet silent like 4’33

I learnt to cry silently
As the voices reached a forte down stairs
My face flooded
As a crescendo rose and just kept rising
I was as silent as a mouse
Not even a squeak

I learnt to cry silently
As the threats rang in my ear
This time my face stayed dry
Yet inside I was a coat in a downpour
The tears could not flow yet
I learnt to cry silently
I learnt to cry invisibly

I learnt to cry silently
As it was my defense mechanism
My protection
My only hope
I learnt to cry silently so that fist wouldn’t meet my skin.