A consequence of having been

Through all that I've been through :

I'm able to relate and empathize

With many about what they've

Been through due to having had

First-hand experiences of many

Terrible things of all sorts, which

Is probably why people are drawn

To confide in me very personally.

Trauma, fear, sadness and pain were

The first things I learned of life,

So I have a deep understanding

On how they affect a person

For having had to deal with

The damages they caused me.

I think those who confide in me

Somehow feel that from me even if they

Don't know all I've been through.

People I know, but complete strangers,

Too, have a tendency to open up to me,

To confide very personal struggles.

I don't mind, but it sometimes takes

Me aback because it's all unprompted,

Especially when the person is a stranger

At the bus stop or at the shopping centre,

They tell me deeply personal things,

And I can't say what it is about me

That makes them open up like that.

They don't know anything about me at all,

I just smiled at them and said 'Bonjour', 

And from there, they just talk to me.

I wonder what it is that makes them

Do that, is it a vibe I give off?

I've been through a lot, but they don't

Know that, so not sure why I find

Myself in this situation so frequently.

Most people I know do not experience

These sorts of moments, so that's why

I'm left wondering what causes perfect

Strangers to want to open up to me.

As I said, I don't mind, but it puzzles me

Some, 'cause I'm no one to these people,

Just a stranger who smiled and said hello,

One they'll never see again after that.

Think there're many hurt lonely people out there...