I know sometimes you feel like
you aren’t worth anything at all,
but don’t you dare forget
that the sun adored you so much
that he kissed your skin until
he could no longer tell the difference
between his flames
and your body.

You wear a halo of gold
and your eyes
are mini worlds
unto themselves.

You are not a monster.
you are a being of ash and stardust
that others are afraid of
because they can sense your glory
waiting to be unleashed.

You have the echoes of ancient praises
running through your veins,
the rhythm of an ancient drum,
beating in time with your heart,
waiting for the moment
that you will turn
from boy
to god.
                  Ode to the sunburnt boy at the back of the class