Baby On Board- The Badge

I have never felt as invisible as I’ve felt since donning the badge

It becomes a game of who can make eye contact last

Never seen anyone fall asleep so fast

I fear whiplash for the necks that rush to look at kindle, paper or phone

Or toes

Never known shoes to be so fascinating

Just to avoid my eyes

I understand

This is not your fault

You didn’t put this baby in me

I paid no extra for my ticket than you

You’re tired too, so why should it be you?

But it would be nice

Especially when sitting in the seat

With an image of a pregnant woman on the blue sign

But I find

Standing by the priority seats

Is the least likely way to secure a seat

These seats belong to the ignorers

I feel guilty when the guy on the other side of the train waves me over

And I walk past 10 people including the two in front of the blue

The poster saying to me

This seat is reserved for you

I always thought when needed

I’d be confident enough to say

Would you mind ….please?

But I get overcome with this timidness

Convince myself the badge they can see

It’s a white badge on a black coat, they can see

They’ve decided obviously, not to give the seat to me

When I share these stories, everyone says to me, just ask, no one will refuse

But what if they do?

I step on the train again

Situation the same, all seats are taken

I put on my sad face, more nervous that the first time I stepped on stage

I feel a rush of warmth to my face

I search for my kind stranger, pick my words

My leg cramp starts again; the cute question is now formed on the lips of a grimaced face

I’ve dilly dallied so long that the train has pulled into the next station

And thankfully someone has come to the end of their journey

I make a beeline for their seat, next time I’ll ask

…..I think

(c) Kemi Taiwo