Holy Tuesday

“Turn to me and be gracious to
    me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.” Psalm 25:16

you sit alone at the table

in the lunchroom, 

your half-eaten sandwich

your closest friend, but

we are too busy sharing

our spring break adventures

to even notice who you are.

you sit on a chair next

to the wall as the band 

begins to play another song,

running your hand over 

your brand new dress, hoping

no one will notice the tears

dripping into a pool of loneliness.

you stand on the
corner, a hand-written
sign “will work for inclusion”
trembling in your hand,
but in a rush to get 

the last bags of candy

for Easter, we let our eyes

simply slide over you 

as if you were invisible.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman