Shadow boy, shadow child,
Hiding from sight, watch and wait
You are undeserving,
keep telling yourself.

Wear black, hide in the corner
pretend to be with them, like them
hide in plain sight, hide behind
who hunt seek you.

Watch them, know them
but never be like them.
You are not like them,
You are different.

An ugly duckling, perhaps.
But you will sing no swansong.
Fade from view, do not thrash.
Limelight is for the deserving.

Introverted, interrupted,
make amends for errors
you’ll never make.
Eternal apologist for your betters.