Exceptional

People are like icebergs: so much below the surface!

You Only Think You Know Them

by Rachelle Allen

"Pasty and paunchy," they think at the pool. An award-winning teacher, revered at his school.   Tiny and plain; on the street, no one glances. But, in toe shoes, on stage, patrons swoon as she dances.   Filthy and matted, he sits on the ground. The cop, undercover, gets stolen kids found.   Bombastic and cut-throat, he chases things risky. Alone in his mansion? Just him and his whiskey.   Outside, in flip-flops, she gently clips sage, But in scrubs, with her patients, she commands center stage.   With soft voice at shelters, he helps and he coos. That same voice: No Nonsense, broadcasting the news.   Slowly and laid-back, he rotates his tires. At work, he's pure hustle, when putting out fires.   The nursing home nana is wrinkled with time. But look at her photos! She once was sublime.   The people we see but don't at all know have so much more to them, layers below.   Such a disservice to make a conclusion based on just looks, it's outright delusion.

Recognized

#2 January 2024