I Am

by Michelle Stewart

I am a girl who stutters
I wonder if I will ever be able to say what I think
I hear others talking without struggle
I see them talking without worry
I want to speak without fear
I am a girl who stutters

I pretend to be the leading role in a play
I feel my words trapped in my throat
I touch the paper I cannot read out loud
I cry when people do not understand
I am a girl who stutters

I understand there is no cure
I say that someday I will say what I want to
I dream of no longer feeling the fear grow in my stomach
I try to pay attention at speech therapy
I hope my words will flow without hesitation
I am a girl who stutters


added with permission
October 26, 2008