Ragamuffin

Standing in the school yard Alone and all forlorn Trousers all threadbare Jumper all torn Eyes wide and frightened Hair closely shorn. Taunted and humiliated Nobody on his side No one knows the secrets He's buried deep inside He keeps them safely hidden If he told they'd say he lied. The filth and depravation Of the place he spends each night Unwashed,unloved, uncared for As the world ignores his plight Cold and hunger his compatriots A bare bulb his only light. The taunts and jibes they haunt him As he lays down to his rest Oblivious to the ramblings Downstairs,of drunken guests Blotting out the fear of shame If by chance they called his name. He dreams of being normal To have a mom and dad who care Of not fading to the background Of not pretending he's not there To have a family to protect him Would be a reverie beyond compare. But he'll survive the years before him Be strong, become a man Even though no one wanted him He will achieve the things he can But born as he was of mortal sin He will always be that lonely "ragamuffin".