I See YOU

To the young man I met today

Who was sexually abused at Age 6

Confident

Charming

Gay AF and on the way to Oz to start again

I see YOU

To the old Uber driver with the traditional African Springbok-hide head piece

Who told me “take your time”

Despite the orange empty light on the petrol tank

Who smiled at me while I fumbled for my keys after a sweaty gym session

I see YOU

To the sister down at my local Spar

Younger than 20

Chip, chipping on the cash register

Next to women well over retirement age who have been there since 20 too

Swaying between being thankful and dying inside

I see YOU

To the tired mom

Doing the unseen load of never ending this and that

Worried about the bags under her eyes, about her maybe-cheating husband and all the dreams she’ll never get to taste

Happily scrolling through other people’s highlights and pressing “like”

I see YOU

To the little boy who no one comes to see at soccer

Who runs home in the dark after practice

To a cold back-room in the ‘burbs

Just in time to catch a glimpse of your Mama

Cooking and washing up for the kids the same height as you

I see YOU

I see YOU

Lee Mayimele