“Say it Anyway”
by Vivv Vance

there are words
that sit like stones in the throat—
smooth, heavy,
unspoken.

they build little graves
to false peace
in the hollow space
between people
pretending not to break.

you learn to hold your breath
longer than anyone should.
you dress your silence
in kindness
and call it survival.

but inside,
the truth rusts—
a locked door
begging for keys
you’ve convinced yourself
don’t exist.

what if you said it?
not with a scream,
but a whisper
that still shook the walls.

what if it cracked something open

what if your voice
was never meant
to be buried under
someone else’s comfort?

what if healing
wasn’t soft or sweet
but fierce—
a wildfire that burns
what never belonged to begin with?

say it.

say it even if it shakes.
say it with your whole trembling spine.
say it
so your bones remember
you are still
alive.

because even if nothing changes
but you—
that
is a beginning.