Why?

She’s sitting sideways Hair trimmed and teased close to her scalp Her legs dangling down, barely reaching the floor And her shoelaces, undone, lay in a tangle about her feet She sits alone, unsure of the world she has stumbled upon It is a world that seems to reject her very existence Just a table away a group of kids turn towards her Their eyes stretching open, staring Accusing eyes, wide as pennies As if they have never seen a creature like her before They point towards her cropped hair, her seemingly long neck Giraffe, they whisper among themselves After all the girl came from Africa They do not know that the girl listens They do not know that she understands She hears their hurtful words Each comment tears at her being They do not know that as she goes home every day Her eyes dry and red Wondering Why ?