She didn't notice him at first, but then he turned,
And the light bounced off his being,
Getting stuck in her vision like a spec of dust.
Her eyes narrowed, recognizing something familiar...
Something distasteful.
Of course this wasn't the first time.
There had been many before her, mostly boys in men's clothing,
With that look of recognition in their eyes,
Trying desperately to squeeze that something out of him.
They had used every trick in their books,
Teaching lessons they'd been taught
About what was right and who was wrong.
This time it only took him 3 years...
3 years to feel his fingers and toes again...
3 years below ground to feel his heart beating...
Wildly at first, then more evenly, with each new breath.
3 years for him to remember his light
Always recognized, would not always be cherished.
So now, everyday as sun rises,
Bending light and shadow round table and chair,
He writes in his journal,
Reads books from his shelf, and recites the words "cherish yourself."