Beyond First Impressions

They label me "weird," they whisper "psycho, They run and hide, a fearful, hushed acclaim. Then drawn by something they can't quite define, They creep back slowly, in a hesitant line. They sit with me, a cautious, gentle start, And piece by piece, I take their world apart. The mask dissolves, the image starts to fade, The monster they imagined, no longer displayed. They see the truth, the heart that beats within, The empathy, the battles I did win. The kindness offered, understanding deep, The secrets that I faithfully will keep. And gratitude blooms where judgment once had grown, They see I'm different, standing here alone. Not like the others, lost in common throng, My spirit whispers a uniquely different song. Then words of sorrow, apologies sincere, For hasty judgments born of doubt and fear. They see the value of a soul so rare, And find redemption in the moment shared.