different by Phil Burns
Click here to hear the poet read his words:
different
the smell is overwhelming
the others move away
with angry hands and voices
tell him he can not stay
he is confused and broken
unsure why he was picked
sly smiles at edge of vision
tell him he has been tricked
the child approaches carefree
with a clear unpoisoned mind
despite no common language
says his tormentors are unkind
she points up at the street lights
her eyes are twinkling stars
her words uncomprehended
still reach deep into his heart
the ill-will is forgotten
the mother leads the way
now gentle hands and voices
tell him that he can stay
to be different is unwelcome
except through a child’s eyes
until she too is taught to hate
with bigotry and lies
but he moves quickly onwards
to another hostile town
where angry hands and voices
will bring the curtain crashing down
anelephantcant 
How could I be rude about such a moving poem showing childhood innocence and anguish?Beautiful and sad, it captures a memory I think most of us can relate to. Definitely a poem for our time.
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Thank you, Jenne, your kind comments are much appreciated.
Sometimes being different is the only crime.
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