If You See Something

If you see something, say something–

Homeland Security reminds us.

And we comply, scanning buses

for backpacks, beards, a stare too long.

We are vigilant.

If you see something, say something.

Karen from the HOA did.

Dialed 911, posted to the group chat

with the blessing of a prayer hands emoji.

So the Sims got a knock on the door

for speaking too fast, too loud,

for cooking with the wrong country’s spices.

If you see something, say something

is a national pastime.

No off season, no refs, no rules.

Suspicion is civic duty

and doubt is good citizenship.

The Nextdoor app pings if Abeer’s grass grows

higher than the approved inch.

Neighbors photograph contents of neighbors’ trash cans

for evidence of a life lived differently.

I reported my coworker for taking long lunches.

I reported a stranger for crying publicly on a bench.

I reported myself accidentally to a hotline

that played the slogan on repeat—

If you see something, say something,

If you see something, say something–

until I couldn't tell if I was a witness

or someone who fits a profile.

I’ve started documenting my day,

narrating my life out loud

in case someone’s listening, 

in case someone's watching.

And I have seen something, 

so I’m saying something:

I am unremarkable.

I am ordinary.

I have nothing to report

except this constant need

to be seen.