You're in discussion circle
The room is white and blinding
Too sweet for the reasons you are all there
The man across the circle stares at you
It is your turn to speak
You do not speak
You either explode
Or implode
You do not speak like everyone else

He calls your name to begin
You shake within your own skin
He starts with something simple
"I feel..."
A basic sentence starter
You've shut your mouth under the weight of what goes on inside your brain
I feel silence
"I feel..."
He tries again, urging you
"I feel."
You quote, monotone, like a computer animated voice
Maybe if you say those two words enough times they'll be true
He smiles, believing it is working
"You feel..."
You do not smile
Or squirm
All eyes are on you
But none of them care
Even if they did care
Would you know?
You've become numb to the burn of their stares
"I feel..." you say,
"That I don't."