The man had three separate name badges.
One was clipped to his navy blue tracksuit jacket,
one was clipped to his lime green polo shirt,
one was clipped to his charcoal jeans.
Each one said Brian.
I wonder if his mates call him Brian Brian Brian.
Or Tri Bri or 3B or Triple Briple,
or Once, Twice, Three Times a Brian.
I wonder if they call him at all.
I wonder if they ask him how he is.
I wonder if they listen.
I wonder if they make him feel seen
as much as he’d like.

© Carl Burkitt 2020