Laughter echoes through the hall Strangers share their joyous call But my voice stays locked away Stranger laughter, silent me Laughter rings, silence stings Voices rise, I disguise Cheers explode in crowded rooms Glasses clash defying glooms Yet my lips stay sealed and still Against my will They weave tales with easy cheer Bonding close without a fear While my quietude takes hold Growing cold In their mirth I fade unseen Every burst a sharper screen Not the joy they amplify But my sigh Stranger laughter, silent me Sounds that never set me free Every chuckle fills the air Leaves me bare Stranger laughter, silent me Hiding what they cannot see Every roar that shakes the night Dims my light Laughter swells, silence dwells Voices blend, I descend Crowds unite, I take flight No echo found, peace profound I nod along to join the tide Hide the hush I hold inside But the merriment reveals What it steals The louder that their chorus grows The clearer my mute shadow shows And in stillness I reclaim My own name Every guffaw pulls apart Through the noise I guard my heart Not the wave they ride so high But my why Stranger laughter, silent me Sounds that never set me free Every burst that lights their way Fades my day Stranger laughter, silent me Hiding what they cannot see Every quiet breath I save Makes me brave Maybe mute was meant to hear Truth beyond their raucous cheer Every pause that night allows Breaks the boughs Now I cherish wordless peace Let the silence never cease The serenity their noise can't reach I beseech Stranger laughter, silent me Now it's clarity I see Never needed to compete In their heat Stranger laughter, silent me Voice within sets truly free Every stillness I embrace Finds my place Stranger laughter, silent me Soft and low I'm just a quiet soul set free Finally By laughter, silent me