Notice Me

Image by Ann Owen

Notice me
the me right in front of you
hiding in plain sight
the me your preconceived notions keep you from seeing.

Look deeper for a second
try to find me
I’m here, wanting to be seen
under the clothes that label me as this or that
under the skin which colours me into a grouping of your making
under the layers of soft protection

I’m still here
My eyes can’t hide
but can you see?
My voice doesn’t lie
but can you hear?
Or is this easier
for you.

This piece was written thanks to a monthly theme from Illuminate, a writing community from The Kindred Voice.

Read more pieces on “notice” from other Illuminate members:

Do You Notice Me? (a haiku) by Mia Sutton
Noticing by Megan Vos
Nurturing Noticing by Hannah Kewley
For the Joy of It by Katherine Mansfield
Notice Me by Amy
A Rose Grows in Brewster by Christine Carpenter
The Unpunctual Liberation from Anxiety by Leesha Mony
Notice by Crystal James