Do you see me?
Do you know who I am?
I see you smiling but I don’t know you.
If I had taken but a moment
to look past your smile:
I would know that you are on a journey;
which includes a battle with a chronic illness.
Is your battle emotional…
Like Depression or Anxiety.
Is your battle mental…
Like Bipolar Mood Disease.
Is your battle physical…
Like Rheumatoid Arthritis or Cancer.
If I had taken but a moment
to look past your smile,
I would know that every time your body moves,
it causes you pain and discomfort.
I would have known that the puffiness of your hands and face
are swelling due to inflammation.
Or that the appearance of your weight fluctuation
is actually called Lymphedema.
If I had taken but a moment
to look past your smile:
I would have known that the saltines you carry
are to help you with queasiness and nausea.
I would have noticed that the redness of your eyes
was from tears that silently rolled down your cheeks.
If I had taken but a moment
to look past your smile:
I would have shared
Faith and Hope with you.
I would have told you
that despite your silence, you are not alone.
If I had taken but a moment
to look past your smile:
I would have commended you,
For You are Brave, Courageous, a Warrior, a Hero and an Inspiration.
If I had taken but a moment
to look past your smile.