the roar

oh yeah,
I think I've found my voice,
after all these years,
of bending over backwards
of squeezing into a crevice,
only to make room
for the whole world,
and for voices
not as much mine
as the one I had tamed
and pruned;
oh yeah,
I think I've found my voice,
not that helpless whimper
of a sniper
who needs cover
to make his mark,
but the voice
that has given in
to itself -
the roar
that must shatter
the silence of a forest
every once in a while,
that splits open
all orifices
hidden and sealed,
in one silent, resilient
gob-smacking breath
of an unshakable love
and self-belief.