There was a boy
With the most beautiful smile
So pure and genuine
And when he would laugh
Others couldn't help but follow

People would come to him
And he would bear their burdens
As though every one were his own
His shoulders began to droop
And his body was always weary

So focused on everyone else
He never had the chance to help himself
He slowly began to wither away
They never noticed he was falling
Because he would always smile

No one realized the vibrant colors
Had drained from his once lively eyes
Nor had they ever noticed
How he began to only wear long sleeves
They figured he was too strong to hurt

He felt pathetic for the hurt he felt
Thought a boy should never feel weak
No one ever told him its ok to cry
He was expected to be the strong hero
But his cape was left in soiled shreds

One night he decided he couldn't be strong
He couldn’t handle feeling empty
He couldn’t be “alone” anymore
He was too focused on what he couldn't do
So he said goodbye the only way he knew how

With a smile on his face


-ARI