The Benefit Of Doubt

You think you know us.  

You’ve read the headlines,  

seen the stock photos—  

a cigarette, a stained sofa,  

a pram in the background,  

always too many children,  

always too many needs.  

You think we are taking,  

that we are open mouths,  

palms upturned like beggars,  

siphoning your hard-earned tax,  

as if your coins don’t melt in our hands,  

as if your system wasn’t built  

on someone else’s back.  

But here’s the truth—  

we are the ones you don’t see.  

The mother hiding her hunger  

so her child can eat.  

The disabled man rationing painkillers  

because there’s a month till his next prescription.  

The worker on minimum wage,  

counting pennies like prayers,  

because rent ate the paycheck whole.  

We are the scaffolding  

you pretend isn’t there,  

keeping your world upright,  

unseen, unsaid, unwanted.  

And when the safety net snaps,  

when the floor caves in,  

don’t look for us to catch you.  

You made sure we had nothing left to give.