Late at night I heard a woman screaming
So loud that it woke up some of those who were sleeping
I ran into my parents’ room only to find them asleep
I sighed in relief and took a breath so deep.

I was heading back to my room when I heard it again
It was a cry of a young woman who’s seemingly in pain
I walked towards the window to see what’s out there
I saw a bunch of people, and to the nothingness they stare.

For the third time I heard her wailing
I went by and asked why everyone’s doing nothing
An old lady answered, “Not everyone is awake, and
not everyone has the courage to speak.”

For the fourth time she wailed, I asked the old lady what it was
“It was the Siren of the smothered freedom.” she said
“It is the one that everyone beseeched—
it is the smothered freedom of speech.”