32. Antje's Poetry

Outloud The Selective Mutism Podcast

Silence by Antje Bothin Talkative at home, happy and loud But quiet and withdrawn in a crowd Silent at school and in the shop Does this selective mutism ever stop? It is not a choice This hiding of the voice When people are around There is no sound. Like a sudden freeze Being in a tight squeeze Unable to talk Nowhere to walk. Observing and listening is easy to do But asking and joining in is hard to pursue Keep trying and trying again Nothing is ever in vain. If people only knew That kindness is the thing to do Inclusion, no pressure and some fun in life Is all that is needed to thrive! And there is another one: Incredibly Invisible by Antje Bothin Invisibility was her natural superpower She could do it every minute and every hour She could miraculously hide herself away She had absolutely nothing to say Her mind had the words ready in a crowd But her voice could never be heard aloud Nobody could see her stare Because she wasn’t really there She could dress in red or green And she wouldn’t actually be seen She could do whatever she pleased Nobody would notice if she sneezed She could even take things and leave But people wouldn’t in the slightest perceive The signs that she had been present at all Even if she suffered a terrible fall But she is free now, happy and strong The things she does usually never go wrong Because invisibility is her incredible superpower And she is proud of it like a radiant sunflower!