he was always
on the outside,
looking in
a face
blended into the constantly
changing background
of the world,
invisible to everyone
he was there;
he was always there
he didn't talk much,
but when he did,
it was like the musical sound
of raindrops on rooftops;
quiet, but demanding
he stood aside
from the crowd,
and some might think
he was shy,
but no,
he was simply observing
what happened around him
when he was not
a part of it
no one knew him,
and frankly,
no one cared
but i am
proud to say
that i knew the boy
who never mixed into
the judgmental mess
of society