Silence

I regret the day I remained silent,
The day that my voice-my courage- failed me,
The day that it ran dry,
In a desert of fear and memories.

I regret not shielding her fragile, innocent body
From the violent words of others.
I regret standing by
And allowing them to stone her,
While I punished her with my silence.

I regret not taking her shattered soul
And piece it back together with words of hope,
The ones I'd wished for when it was me.
I regret those three months,
My ideals abandoned in the wilderness.

So, I am sorry to the girl standing alone,
Friendless,
Broken,
And confused,
Because while I never assaulted you,
I am a bully too.