You Didn't Know Me

by Alonna Miller
(ST. Joseph, MO)

You didn't know me as a child at home
You didn't see me when I joined the Marines
You weren't with me in Vietnam
But you see me now, homeless, on the street in torn jeans

You didn't know me as a girl in the church choir
You didn't see me as the captain of the girl's softball team
You weren't with me when I lost my child
But you see me now, the drug addict living on the street

You didn't know me when I played high school football
You didn't see me graduate college
You weren't with me when I lost my job--and everything
But you see me now, struggling to survive

You judge by the cover you see
You don't know my past or who I used to be
You look away in disgust; just wanting me to leave
With your fancy houses and a life so fine I hope and pray; someday you're not me