“What do you want?” I hear you say
And my feelings are in disarray
I just came to see if you can
Sort out this problem with my rent

My landlord charges more each week
But he hasn’t fixed that nasty leak
In my bathroom – so there’s mould
The heating’s wonky and my kids are cold

I don’t own much and my clothes are old
And I’ve waited in line as I was told
So it’s hurtful and demeaning to hear you say
“What do YOU want today?”

Perhaps if you lived my life for a while
Suffered my indignities and still can smile
Will you try to treat people like me better?
And say instead as if we matter –

“Hello, how can I help you today?”

Donald Lee: May 29, 2014
My response in verse to the post http://togetherindignity.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/the-true-meaning-of-welcome/