Pain

the bandages tight on his chest

covering the mistake

that hurt him more than his scarred body showed.

he walked

with the loose-hipped swagger

he had adopted long ago,

a lonely ten year old

wanting nothing more than to be exactly like

the teenage boys who hung out across the street.

now, spotting his girlfriend,

he smiles.

he loves her more than anything.

she comes up to him,

kissing him,

complaining

"rosemary.

they're bullying me

because

i would never,

*ever*

date a guy."