A bright smile
and self assured,
a walk just killing those shoes.
Head held high
and eyes wide,
showing care.
I think you’ve got
things figured out
at first glance
and then I turn away.
For a moment,
my mind wanders
and when my gaze returns.
I see you walking
with your daughter
and your son.
At least I assume they are,
as they pull you to and fro
and that perfect,
young professional
I saw moments ago,
is now a mom,
just shopping with her kids.
There is so much value
in that second glance,
so many first impressions
never tell the tale.
If I can only go outside
my prejudiced
and projections,
I might see you for who you are.
There’s a kid,
who works at the coffee shop
nor far from where I work;
he’s tall and too thin
for his skinny jeans
and I assume
that his days are full
of half-caff, double shot lattes
and texting
and video games;
every day,
I assume,
just the same as the other day.
At second glance
and I see past the projections,
I had laid at the feet of this young man.
The way he speaks,
calling people “Sir” and “Ma’am”,
the strength of his posture
and the short, tight haircut.
I could picture him in his uniform,
but not the one he was wore;
a new recruit
and not some feckless boy.
A second glance is what we all deserve.
A look beyond what we think we see.
The chance to share the heart
of who we are.
A second glance
a chance to see the truth.
HG – 2016
