Ordinary.
I see others being given labels.
Easy to understand the need to act out.
How they got there is easily how I could.
The reaching for ‘else’ is because I am common.
Joining with those who are ‘exotic’ because I am plain.
Learning from those who are ‘other’ because I am not.
Being the middle of the road without access to the fast lane.
Ever the ‘touchstone’ of society around me.
Invisible because it has always been this way.
There will always be ‘another time’.
I am used to being dismissed for being ‘background’.
Overlooked for those with the glitter of different.
The group benchmark of beige before the rainbow.
Always being the support, the expectations of foundation.
Having every other label be important before ‘Me’.
Knowing I have privilege, but not position.
It is the way to ‘blend’ when you are ‘bland’.
Ignored skills hard won because they are expected.
The simmering that bursts forth after ‘one more slight’.
I fight being ‘that woman’ just to make space for myself.
Knowing that, no matter what I try to accomplish, I will always be
Ordinary.
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