Yellow Light

when you were a kid
you climbed the lion gate at the zoo, they found you swinging your legs over the edge

when you were a kid
you thought boys should be able to adjust themselves any time any place

when you were a kid
you made your mom bring you cake while you played video games

when I was a kid
I was too scared to swim in the lake at summer camp

when I was a kid
I got sick at the sight of blood and had to he sent home from school

when I was a kid
I hid under my mom's dresses when she ran into people she knew at the store

I saw you and I knew

I refrained from holding your hand that very first night

it's been a tough time for us all

the lucky, the unlucky, the privileged, the desperate

we found each other lost, and poor, and tired

we smiled and laughed and talked and slept and drove and lived

I found out that everyone is just trying to make sure their friends know they love them

that we are all just trying to keep this job

that we are all trying to eat vegetables and go on walks

we are all trying to finish that book, and pick up our clothes

get home without harassment and sleep eight hours a night

we are all just trying to get through that yellow light safely