Do You See Me?

Audio recording here:

https://soundcloud.com/dusty-grein/do-you-see-me-092417-dusty-grein

Sitting here, I’m hurting, feeling

fear, despair, regret, and need.

My life, no one finds appealing,

no one ever pays much heed.

I can understand the worry…

pity hurts, so don’t come near;

act like you are in a hurry.

Do you even see me here?

Sober, I’m not stumbling, reeling,

you look away while my heart bleeds;

human contact could bring healing.

Smiling — such a simple deed,

yet if our eyes meet, you get weepy,

sorrow battling with your fear…

maybe you just find me creepy.

Do you even see me here?

On your cell phone, wheeling, dealing,

pretending you don’t hear my plea.

Maybe my fate you are sealing

by walking past me, down the street.

I hide behind my grim eyes, only

wanting not to shed these tears;

wishing my life weren’t so lonely.

Do you even see me here?

Watching you, I sit silently,

seeing things, so crystal clear;

hatred hurts me less than pity…

do you even see me here?

© 20-17 - dustygrein

*** The ballade is one of the oldest of the French refrained forms, and is still well suited to expressing heavy emotional issues.