You rarely think
About the lives of construction workers
Janitors, manual laborers

But then
You meet a woman who belongs to this world

You can see the dampened hope in her eyes
But behind that
The fiery determination shines
To give to her loved ones the life she could not have

She lights up when you speak to her

Her words tumble out, she looks
Relieved

Almost as if by expressing these ideas
She releases some unknown pressure from inside

You leave her then
Astounded, honored

But it is she who attempts to meet your gaze every time you see her next
As if to thank you for acknowledging her existence

But it is you who feels grateful