We asked University of Arkansas students to interpret the theme of the 2018 edition, “No Longer Unspoken,” through poetry. Hill staff selected and published Morgan Pritchett’s poem as the contest winner because of how closely it relates to each story in the magazine.
“Hold It In! Hold It In!”
By Morgan Pritchett
It builds, if festers, it grows
Never let it out, never let it show
Keep it buried way down deep
Don’t let them see, don’t let it seep
Always fine through thick and thin
Hold it in, hold it in
It slipped through the cracks
Leaving torment in its tracks
They wanted the truth
But they didn’t want proof
So you hear them again
Hold it in, hold it in
Silently you scream
Wishing on a dream
You didn’t tell them why
You would hide away and cry
Now it’s written on your skin
You held it in, you held it in
Now your feelings aren’t all you hide
Because you cut yourself open wide
How magnificent are your scars
Let them strengthen who you are
Because who you are isn’t forbidden
Don’t keep them hidden, don’t keep them hidden
Let your pain wonder astray
Let your strife light the way
Your words can no longer go unspoken
Sharing them doesn’t mean you’re broken
Because healing can’t begin
If you hold it in, hold it in