Bittersweet...

the lunch lady likes me

because I smile at her

every day

and say Hello

and call her by her name

because I took the time to learn her name

because I asked her how to pronounce it correctly

so she likes me

I can tell

by the way she smiles at me

and says Hello

and calls me by my name

she doesn't do any of this for anyone else in line

just me

and I can tell by the way

she gives me extra portions

a little bit extra

a second small ladling

of everything she puts on my plate

more than she gives to anyone else in line

my plate is always heavy when she gives it back to me

this is her way of being nice

the only way she has to say

Thank You for treating Me like a Person

and not a Food Dispenser

and so every day when I get my lunch from her

and she heaps an extra portion out for me

and I take that too-heavy plate from her hands

it makes me feel very happy

in my Heart

but also very sad

in my Stomach

as my pants feel just a little tighter each day

and I know she is giving me too much food

and I can't eat it all

but also knowing

that I would never

ever

want her to stop