He sat across from me

when he told me you were important.

He told me to trust you,

but never warned me

that you would disappoint me.

He made you out

to be the solution

to problems I didn’t see.

He made you seem

like some form of rescuer,

but did he know

the weight he put on me

by introducing me to you?

I was so young.

Only ten

when you came into my life

and I wasn’t interested.

You were a stranger,

only there

because he invited you.

He tried to make you important,

but all I saw

was an unnecessary lesson.

How could I see more?

You barely showed up for me

in ways that mattered.

When you did,

others were there

to keep you away.

They stood between us,

forming a strong barrier

to protect me from you.

How could I have seen you for what you are

when he didn’t even tell me your name is Advocacy.