Hear Me

A product box for Mr. Microphone. ‘Chordless Wireless Microphone. No Attaching Wires’ is written above the microphone. A person with long hair is depicted holding the product up to their open mouth. ‘As Seen on TV. Tel Que va à la Télévision’ is written in text boxes below the person. ‘Put your voice on FM radio. Factes-voice … on FM. Utile et agréable pour tous’ is written in the bottom right corner.

I cannot help that

my volume dial is broken

I am loud

too loud

and excitable

and when I’m excited?

Way too LOUD.

Forget myself until I hear “shhhhh,”

like ice water tossed in my face.

Reminding me I’m too much.

Should be less.

I hate the absoluteness of me.

Try to act laid back

but forget myself

constantly exposed by

a suicide vest of

laughter bursting from my chest

drawing stares,

reminding me I need to be cool

stop being

too much

too big

too earnest

too intense-in-your-face

too     freaking     loud.