MOSES III

The tongue is a terrible thing to taste

when charcoaled and burnt

muted by your own history.

Bitter ashes in his mouth

he always felt

growing up

reminding him of his own fumbling words.

With little point in

speaking

in meeting

in greeting people

He found he could be silent

and strong

and, working hard

he could accomplish enough

and hope that he could just slip by.

It wasn't enough.

He could not slip by.

He required more from this life

and

while it was difficult for him

eventually

he had to swallow his tremblings

and utter his mumblings

and speak

loud enough

for a nation to hear.

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