The November chill touched and tortured his bones
The dark alley smelled of ***** and sour cabbage
His bed of stained cardboard was wet and soggy
Another night of bad dreams in this makeshift home

Thinking about what happened that long ago night
Trying to explain, to ears that were closed
Shame and fright worked together in the assault on his mind
forcing his eyes to cover his face with a persistent tide of tears

He could remember every hurtful word
“No! It’s just a phase”? and “I’d rather see you dead”
Discarded like unwanted trash
He was only seventeen

Sobbing in that alley tonight, remembering the love and the warmth of before
Before dreadful secret was voiced, before the love was repossessed
He told them about that boy at school
In one instant his entire life was gone… home… family… hope… all gone

Later in the cold of night, the car idling at the curb
Sickened by the thought of what he was about to do
But a boy has to eat, a hand on his knee, a tear in his eye
A broken heart in a shattered soul