Cough, cough.
I sort sheet after sheet
Checking for stains
Checking for rips
Checking for tears
I sniffle,
Allergic to the mold
The dust
The filth
Cough.
I hear them talking behind me,
These people who are
My coworkers
I sort,standing,
Alone,
In my space.
Not included.
Ignored.
And I don't want to
Be part of their group.
They're too gossipy.
Too catty.
Too... wrong.
But I don't feel
Happy alone,
Either.
Months pass.
Same story.
Alone.
I listen.
But...
Slowly they begin to let me in.
Some faster than others
I'm included in conversation
I'm
Invited.
I receive graduation gifts.
Sweet people
Showing care.
I feel
Included.
Appreciated.
Wanted.
At home,
I cry for joy,
Finally feeling that
I've found
My place.
And what could
Be more wonderful
Than feeling
Right?
Just
Plain
Right.
I never thought I'd
Want
To be there.
What started as
Volunteering for
A necessity
For Marching Band,
A
Necessary
Evil,
What became
A source of income
For college
When I was
Offered a job,
Has finally become
Something
Far greater.
Something far richer
Than I would
Have ever imagined
Years ago.
Because now it's
Not just a job.
Now it's a place
Where I can feel
Home.
At Home.