I cannot speak

I live in my head, I cannot come out for I am a coward.
I hear what they say, I hate what they say!
Yet I cannot speak aloud. I dare not speak aloud.
I fear what is to come and I long for what is past. I run through my
head, what I have said, what I will say.
But I cannot speak aloud. I dare not speak aloud.
I do not fear their wrath, but I fear their words, their looks, their
thoughts.
I hear them speak, then I cry. Alone.
The feeling in the pit of my stomach makes me want to scream!
But I cannot scream aloud. I dare not scream aloud.