No One Knows

what it’s like to live in shame, to have no name,
to be labeled the fool by those so cruel, with their insidious
laughs, behind your back. No one knows

what it’s like to have lost it all, intrepid enough to try
again because you have nothing. And nothing
to lose, except your dignity. No one knows

what it's like to live in anguish,  maintain the
smile behind unfilled desires. People refuse to see the message
you're putting out, because it's limned in idiosyncratic

ways that don’t embrace their priggish beliefs. Don’t get
entangled in their callow beefs. Living soporific lives
they’ve nothing better to do. You’re like the leaves

that stick to the grass after an autumn rain, a blanket of
orange, crimson and gold stain for labile feet  to *****
upon. No one knows. Underneath, there's green that gets
covered up in winter frost.