Don't stare, Listen. (Manifesto Poem)

Here I am.

You stare at me from the other side of my cage.

At my disability.

Am I an animal at the zoo?

Do I have feelings?

It’s not my fault.

Do you understand?

Of course not.

So don’t stare. Listen.

Just because I’m different,

Doesn’t mean I’m a zoo exhibit.

I have feelings.

I’m not that horrifying painting at the museum

That you can gape at.             

You don’t know my story

And I don’t know yours.

So don’t stare. Listen.