Tara Byrnes

Shut up. Seriously. Shut up.

You cried because they left?
You asked for too much.
Their boundaries. Not yours.
Independence is knowing your place.

Those two screamed in your face?
You spoke the truth they tried to hide.
Say yes, don’t argue, obey.
The choice of justice will never be yours.

Shaken up because he hit you?
You need to calm down. Too loud.
That energy is not “bubbly,”
only dramatic and immature.

She gaslit you? No. You gaslit her.
You confronted. She twisted the words.
Left you believing.
Forever your fault.

Be grateful, be happy.
Just look at your life.
Soft, privileged, and giving.
You have all that you want.

High heels. Bright eyes. Plump lips.
Polished, smart, and fit.
Pure Innocence. Pink bows. Sunshine.

Why are you upset?
You selfish, selfish brat.

This is your reality.
Look pretty, smile.
And shut up.

Tara Byrnes is submitting her first poem to a literary magazine. She primarily writes through her philosophical, political, and legal research. Tara is also a singer and flute player. Poetry, closely connected to song, provides her an additional outlet to convey conflict, deep emotion, and intellectual pursuits.