Shhh Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

'Shhh' read the scribbles made in haste
upon that cold gray wall
as darkness covered alley paths
and dread fell over all

A foggy fearful distant light
revealed swift heavy strokes
creating a stark shadow shape
with black hat and black cloak

It was assumed some evil ears
might hear the spoken word
and undermine the victory
so talk must be deferred

For it was wartime in that land
no safety and no laws
nobody mentioned names or news
or said what was the cause

We were but little children then
and could not understand
why we must silence our small sounds
why play and fun were banned

It's been a long, long time since then
and quite a time it took
before I found my voice at last
and closed that frightful book

'Shhh' read the scribbles made in haste
upon that cold gray wall
as darkness covered alley paths
and dread fell over all.