ShangaanQueen

the world does not revolve around me.

built with a purpose for others to feel

loved & seen.

someone out the ordinary

far from the in between

seeking those glistening of hope

so their soul never feels broke

I’m much like you

you are much like me

i didn’t follow instructions

& you were built perfectly

I was recently on a date at a restaurant with a notoriously long waiting list and we were seated directly next to the server station. Like right next to it. In the middle of constant foot traffic, noise, people brushing past, in the least desirable seat in the building by someone who didn't think I’d say anything. I looked at the waitress and asked kindly if we could move to one of the back tables since those were empty. She looked back at me and performed not understanding, which was interesting because I had been extremely clear. I repeated myself and she then shifted into passive aggressive mode and began explaining that people would be passing by the back table too. I said excuse me. She said you can sit there but we're going to pass there too. I asked one final time until finally her colleague stepped in and gave us a straightforward yes, you can sit there. I gave the original waitress the dirtiest look I have ever assembled in my life and she received it fully and finally shut up and we moved and she didn't come back for the rest of our evening and that was that.

As I was translating and we settled into conversation, a woman at the next table leaned over and asked what I had ordered because it looked delicious (tartelettes aux pommes et glace vanille bc I'm basic af) but that was not really what she was asking. She had been listening and was looking for an entry point, and we got into a conversation since she wanted to know more about me, what I study, where I grew up and how I switched between 2 languages so effortlessly (Americans). Her husband was there too, both physicians, she worked in drug development, lovely people, a few genuinely warm exchanges and then I turned back to my date.