Advance Notice

Every day's another test.
Who's it gonna be this time?
It's hard to learn to expect
When it should come as a surprise.

I can't spend my time
Avoiding tougher stories.
I'm only used to just one thing.
Life comes without a warning.

This is not a joke at my expense.
It's hard enough just to speak up and say it.

Preface this by saying
Disclaimer: We can't have that here.
A conversation ongoing
But you say nothing
Want to disappear

Apologies too often.
So much for inclusion.
So much for safe here.
How you walk through the world:
It's a matter of comfort,
It's a matter of skill.

This is not a joke at my expense.
It's hard enough just to speak up and say it.

So we will bear witness.