he was called terrible things,
things that should never
ever
ever
be spoken
again.
but he smiled,
but why?

boy, they said,
ah, he was just a freak
a doormat
for letting people
talk all those bad things about him.
eh, whatever.

no,
she said,
he is happy,
he is good,
he is pure.
unlike you.
maybe it seems,
that he doesn't care
about all the things you say.
at night, however,
his sister will rush into the room
the exact instant
she hears a bam on the wall.
his mother,
holds him
while he sobs uncontrollably.
his father,
will continue to ask
"do you want me to tell the principal?"
and his response will always be
no.

but why?

he's strong,
and he's hurting.
but it's okay.
because there are people opposite of you
to comfort him,
in the darkest times.
to be his spark,
when his light
went out.