Pain and anxiety
Seen on faces
Late in their seasons
When serenity should prevail
They are not claiming
To have been blessed
Wearing some victory badge
On their arms
Hard workers and
Willing participators
They endure prejudice
Are quiet about
Being misused by
Their doctors and
Providers, having watched
Others pass them in line
They remember personal battles
Fought for the benefit of others
And voices are now lost
That cheered them on
People who looked at them
In the eye and thanked them
Now, dreams are just echoes
Voices dull without many rings
Stanski
June 11, 2023
Steve Haarman 