Peter the Happy

Once, there was a boy named Peter in 8th Grade.

He was shy, but had a happy façade.

He smiled at the teachers, his classmates and me.

But he was so distraught, a mood in him you couldn't see.

It was funny though, but not a funny kind of funny.

When you find out his mama never gave him money.

The day you figure out that all he ever was, was all alone.

That he was always that person in a down in the dumps zone.

He was like chalk and cheese compared to the people in high spirits.

Like black chalk and mouldy cheese enclosed with secrets.

But on November 21st on a bitter, winters day,

He didn't turn up at school, he was somewhere away.

You could hear the murmurs of why he wasn't around.

And the call of weeping people when you hear where he was found.

He was open hung from a tight school tie,

In the midst of his bedroom closet, with a hint of a sad lie.

And on his bedside table there was a very small note,

With something so minor, but so big of a quote.

"A lot of you cared, just not enough"

His parents couldn't believe it; they thought he was tough.

And his sister didn't understand; she was only a kid.

And his best friend tried and failed at what Peter did.

So I guess you can say; everyone cared.

For the boy who smiled, but who was on the sly of scared.

I suppose it's just another 'Don't try this at home' for people like that,

For the people who feel like another welcome mat.

And the distressing thing is, Peter never thought that anyone would miss him,

Even though everyone does; he was just too on the gloomy rim.

So, if you ever feel so down, even for the smallest laugh,

Don't cut your chances, not at all, not in half.

Never pursue what people like poor Peter carried out,

Because a welcome mat is a nice thing to have, even if it's a little worn-out.