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