A Place at the Table

Colonised, disadvantaged, and irrelevant
I seek a place at your table.
So, listen carefully
to my silence, shouting loudly,
echoing amongst the babble.
Your privileged tongue
stifling, subduing
speed, creating no space for me to speak.
I am seated
but have no place.

I breathe, breathe again, exhale.
Grounded in my land, my place,
I whisper softly, slowly, tentatively. Gently.
So hear the sounds and feel the words.
Stop to honour the Promises, and
humbly still your tongue
to treasure the invisible voice.