Hope, again

The happiest man in all the world

Looked down at me and said,

“I see no flaws, no source of shame.

Go out and forge ahead.”

“But what,” I asked, with feigning voice,

“Am I supposed to do

About the ridicule, the lies, the hate?

Surely, you’ve felt it too.”

“Yes, I have,” He smiled at me

And looked up to the sky.

“Often times it burned too deep,

And often I would cry.

I would look and see myself and hate

What it was I had become.

But it didn’t matter if I marched

To the beating of their drum.

The hate, the lies, the second looks

All came no matter what.

So I told myself, right then and there

That I would leave this rut.

I do not care what others think.

That’s the secret to my smile.

So go, my friend, your chains are gone,

Be happy, yourself, for a while.”