The Struggle We Dress Up
I see it online –
The culture we have created.
The way we cope with our trauma,
The way we try to show the world our struggles.
We have begun to make fun of it.
No one paid attention to our struggles in real time,
So maybe with jokes, dress-up, dances, and skits,
They will finally see our struggles.
Maybe then, they will see the human side of us.
Maybe if they look long enough,
They will see the fear,
The trauma, the pain,
The dilemma of healthcare.
We are dancing for their attention.
That’s how desperate we have become.
We hid our bruises with makeup,
Our panic with smiles,
Our trembling words with jokes –
Trying to direct the public to a friendlier version of the abuse.
They’re not interested in the raw, painful reality.
So we make it funny, hoping they will see.
You see the funny side,
Tell us to do more,
But you don’t get it.
The message – the reason –
It hasn’t clicked yet.
It is our “We need help” sign,
Our SOS,
Our “We are struggling” sign,
Our “We are not okay” sign,
Our “Please see us” sign,
Our “Save us” sign.
You keep clapping, laughing, snickering at our attempts.
Maybe this time the message will get through.
We are hiding our pain behind jokes.
Our trauma has become your entertainment.
Maybe if we dance longer,
Make funnier jokes,
Use bigger props,
Dress more revealing –
Maybe then,
You will finally see us.
The human side of us.
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