Red Light
do they see
what I feel do they
see me how I’m sorry
I’m just a baby
behind the wheel
they see me
can they forgive me
I’m unraveling how
it wasn’t on purpose
the tear stains
on my cheeks
the reddening of
my eyes do they see
it do they get it
I wouldn’t be like this
if not for him I
didn’t mean to
I’m just distracted
do they get it please
let me pass by you
I just missed my turn
Victoria Mbabazi is currently Canadian in Brooklyn, New York. They have two forthcoming books: The Siren in the Twelfth House (Palimpsest Press, 2024) and Death to All Darlings (Fernwood Publishing, 2025).