I've People-ed My Imagination

I saw a girl crying on the train today

When was standing on the platform

Waiting for my train

I felt the urge to console her

To ask her "you okay?"

Do you want to talk?

Do you want company?

I wanted to wave to her

Babe, you're not alone!

I've had one of those every other month

I couldn't though

I felt a tether pulling me back

Pulling me from putting my hand out

Stopping my words in my mouth

Stunning the muscles of my face to relax

She'd judge me

Who was I to help her out

I didn't even know her

She'd be creeped out that I caught her

I'd caught her crying

She was white

That was another thing that held me back

She'd think who's this brown girl

Trying to tell me it'll be okay

That was it

That threat of national judgement stopped me

Stopped my body from being kinder

Because of judgement and harsh reality

A reality I've faced often enough

The truth is sandpaper on my skin

When that truth plays out, the sandpaper moves against me

I bleed.

What we look like defines the goodness in our kindnesses

It's an unfortunate truth I've made peace with

What my London eyes caught

I met another girl today

I was in a hostel in London

She looked like me and she looked upset

I wanted to ask her if she was okay

But I didn't want to sound like an eavesdropping ass

So I kept quiet, but took out my headphones

And then it all changed

She asked me, "Hi, can I talk to you?"

My eyes felt the spark of joy

It lit up my body

I said of course you can

And She ranted about the anxieties of her job

I listened and couldn't help but admire her

She was talented , pretty and so smart

Her anxieties were trying to tell her otherwise

And I told her then, what a stranger saw in her

I saw reassurance melt all over her face

Our discussion ended on music

She asked me if I wanted to get food together

I said yes

We ate and bitched about white boys

We laughed about the snooty white woman we'd met

Who asked us to hush every second

And how She impersonated her

I had to spit my toothpaste out I'd laughed out so hard

Do you know how real the laughter is?

When you're trying to control it throughout brushing your teeth?

I met her for one day

Explored London with her

It was a fun so unexpected

I felt like a movie

I love finding people

I love becoming a part of their story

And watch me become a miniscule part of theirs

It's people

People give me hope

People ease my sadnesses

Sometimes it's only me easing my own

But I know the beauty of friendship

Of finding adventure and laughter with a person

Doesn't matter if you've known them for a day or a decade

I've found out, faith in people is rewarding

Despite chances of disappointment

I think people are full of stories

Sometimes only needing a nudge

And they burst from them

Endless emotion

I love stories,

And so I love people.