A Single Rose
He would follow me around with a smile on his face
Kind of like a little brother but I didn’t know him well
Didn’t understand why he liked to hang around this place
I never really asked him and he probably wouldn’t tell
He tried to talk a few times but I brushed him away
Couldn’t talk to a little kid, I was too damn cool
Never listened to a word that he had to say
He’d still come around every day after school
Thought he was just clumsy but I didn’t ask him why
Told him he could tag along if that’s what he chooses
I should have read between the lines but I didn’t try
Said he fell down at home and that caused the bruises
He never talked about his family, never mentioned his dad
I found out later about the hurt he went through
One day he stopped showing up, in a way I felt bad
I asked his teacher where did Billy get to
He told me where I could find him and that he looked up to me
In my mind I could see him look back and wave
I found him and cried, bending down on one knee
I laid a single rose upon his grave.
Copyright © Vince Suzadail Jr. | Year Posted 2009
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