“To My Friends”

Danny P. Barbare

Art of Creative Unity Award 2021 | Honorable Mention

Dear Janitors. This is who I am.

I am white. Disabled almost

All my life.

Mopping. Milky sweat dripping

Down my forearm.

I know what it feels like to be

Hated and dishonored.

So do not fear me, for I wear

Your skin in many ways.

You cannot see my broken arm

Or leg

For you see I have an invisible

Illness

Mania bipolar and major depression

That has put me in hospitals

Most of my life and

I have suffered much pain

So when you see me, believe that

I know you

And I know your life is not a joke.

I do not laugh.