Growing Pains Poem by Claudia Krizay

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An outcast, atypical and different-
Being three of you and myself alone-
In my eyes, I had done no wrong
Unaware of the daggers in your pupils
When I first walked in the door-
An outcast, perhaps younger, though
No more than one month perhaps two
Most likely none more than a fortnight-
Though without my realization, not knowing the right words to say,
Not knowing which games to play,
None but a fallen branch lying broken amidst tall and strong trees-
An outcast, daunted so many times by
Others who could see the pain and unyielding fear, as
Reflected in my glance, though misdirected-
Baffled and hurt by your taunting words-
Repeatedly stabbing my very soul-
The tears began to fall and as would a wounded deer,
I escaped your menacing and jeering chants-
I was gone, though
I could hear your wicked laughter pounding against the door
A wounded sparrow amidst a colony of feral cats-
Threatening words cutting deeper than would a blade of a sword-
Standing outside the door my injured spirit was screaming-
Perhaps a fortnight younger and smaller though hardly,
Cursed to be born different, though only in the minds of others-
A brilliant artist had once painted my portrait-
Deemed as beautiful by many- though nobody saw beyond the
Intricate brushstrokes, the smiling face and expressive eyes-
An outcast I was among many and through my lonely tears
Outside the door to your home I thought-
As all trees once came from seeds and all trees are striking
The three of you and I all came from a seed-
We are all children- children can be different ages, sizes and colors-
I was born a tree that couldn’t stand against the wind,
A child that couldn’t compete and couldn’t defend myself against the cruelty of others-
Time has passed and as a young tree that grew to be strong-
I have grown to be courageous, confident and much admired,
only to know that
Those unusual and outcasts as children, often blossom to become people
To be sought out and respected- and so like the strongest most beautiful tree
Within the entire forest, upholding against the strongest of storms-

Claudia Krizay