Scapegoat

It started with looks;

looks that said, ‘are you for real?’

looks that said, ‘you’re getting above yourself. I wouldn’t if I were you’.

Strengthened by Innocence,

and kindness shared with strangers,

He moved on.

But soon looks turned

to rude stares;

leers of disbelief, lingering to distrust.

Words came,

bitter and bad-mannered,

that lashed at purity.

Accusations were choked with anger.

Names called with mocking cries

before the spitting began

from hostile hate and sour lips,

with reddened cheeks

and darkened frown.

And soon fingers curled to fists

and carried cruel clouts

on his innocent battered body.

Bewildered by rage,

deafened by blows,

He surrendered to callous noise

and curled his body,

his aching body,

around every whip, crack and tear.

Satisfaction was temporary;

for Cruelty was not finished,

merely rested

from mental exhaustion,

emotional torment,

and physical inadequacy.

Roaring it turned

to remove him

from our-kind.

Throwing all it could,

he was driven out;

carrying hate on his back

We sent him away.

And He left us.

Our debt? … paid in full.

And now with kind looks

and a gentle word we say …

sorry!