He was a boy
who knew only
the best way to be sad.

That never sat right in his mind.

Always pressured
to try and be happier,
the sadbeast learned
how to appear happy
no matter what might be felt.

His eyes reflected back the joy
that other people felt
so that the waters of his own soul
might be shielded
from their prying eyes.

His face was a mask
and a mirror.
The onlooker wouldn't see
a sadbeast,
but would see whatever animal
they themselves were.

His mirror-mask would show
joycrawlers and bubblybees,
cheermonkeys and lovebunnies,
happypups and pleasureweasels.

Other people found
their less fortunate images
would be reflected as well,

and so the boy
was mistaken for
a drearydove and a cryfrog,
a hollowflower and a weepinghart.

So perfect was his imitation technique
that the sorrowful ones thought
they found a kindred heart,
while the joyous ones thought
they found one of their own brood.

This did not make the sadbeast less sad.