There once was a man who could speak
Only in whispers, only in murmurs
He stuttered his way through his broken life
Hoping that someone would help him home.

People stop and stare
But most just pass him by
He cannot break out of this bubble
Of invisibility, of shadiness

All he wants is acceptance
The love of another
To escape this hermit lifestyle.
He has not chosen this for himself.

He simply yearns for a companion
With whom he can exchange hushed compliments.
A lover to be his stronghold
Whom he can call his own

But he has none of that
Will he ever be loved?
He cannot imagine this as a possibility
And still, he is ridiculed for being different.
Has he finally had enough?

His mask begins to disintegrate
And his body is weary and irreparable
What ever shall he do?
He steps out of his shell as he fades into the night
No one stops him
No one cares.

His funeral is well-attended.
Friends of friends
The bullies that beat him into the Earth
They dug his grave for him.
The passersby, remember them?
The ones who did not even stop
To express any concern for our lonely protagonist.

They all say
"He was grand, his smile was beautiful.
He will be missed."
But will you miss him?

They express their condolences to the family
You never honored him in life
Why would you honor him in death?
Is this your way of paying your disrespects?

I hope you remember him.
I hope he haunts you.
I hope he sticks in your mind
As the man that you let die.