Boot Prints

By A.W. Renarcy

Rain drops falling
on thick glass windows
dripping down
on moss tinged
white painted cinder blocks.

drone of voices behind
heavy gray clouds outside
heaven crying outside.

just an outsider, different
not good enough.
no, not good at all.
Useless. Worthless.

Gullible. Stupid. tell him anything
he'll believe you.
give you anything you ask.

trampled leaf in a muddy boot print.

Slow steady rain falls
standing around a corner
waiting for him
anyone really.

a door opens
bubbling voices fill the air
someone passes by
the clenched fist connects
he drops without more than groan

VICTORIOUS! Now they KNOW!
I AM NOT WORTHLESS!
I AM NOT WEAK!

i am a bully
as much as that other guy is
no not the guy I cheap shot
don't even know him

stomach twists
chest aches
why?
I didn't dislike that kid
he was just there.

stepping back
I see a leaf pressed under
a boot print

and I cried.

©July 2021 A.W. Renarcy