Invisible, It Seems

They say women
over the age of forty

are invisible, socially

speaking, and I find this

to be true.  I stand

in front of automated

faucets that refuse

to see me while I wait,

water flowing

for everyone else

but me.  At home,

I have these robots

that work for me.

They turn on my lights,

vacuum my floors, 

and remind me where 

I need to be.  I installed

them and trained them

and made them my own

so they obey my commands.

I am useful to them

because I have made them

useful to me.

There's no kindness

in standing, hands out,

desperate, with no water

in response to my pleas.

Defiantly, I stand here.

Invisible, it seems.

2023

Virtual Tip Jar: Venmo @sarahwolfstar