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Any living body that passed him

was inclined to point or stare.

His own smile resented him

for acknowledging those unsteady onlookers.


At the peak of his anxiety,

that neverland boy would

forgive petty grievances.


They would lament,

"What are you wearing?"

"You were so beautiful."

"Why are you doing this to us?"


and he would sigh and comfort them,

"I don't understand why I can't be beautiful."


On and on. Even shielding his midnight eyes

with empty palms could not stop their waters.


He begged with adventurous, crackling lips -

for his parents to love him,

but they mourned his flowering

and desperately missed their daughter. 


[Originally Published: Red Weather Literary Magazine 2020]

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