even if you slapped him in the face
with the most radiant bouquet of sunflowers
there was no way he could fathom
what had hit him

nevertheless, never mind
it's not your fault
it never was
but neither is it his

he was raised to believe
that he did not deserve
kindness or care
or beauty in whatever form

forced to grow up,
not knowing what any of it was
or what any of it meant