alone on the playground

nobody even knew my name ....
didn't matter to them, cause there I had no fame
the only answer they found was to blame
me, my family, pointing their fingers like a gun taking aim
"don't matter what we call him, he's got a crazy name…"
calling people "hey you" is a spiteful children's game
nasty manners they should've learned to tame
imagine saying that to a lady, a real dame
she'd slap your face, you'd be red with shame!
but a small boy on the playground one day came
their way, earnest for friendship, he did gladly exclaim
but mocking laughter was their answer, a war cry did they acclaim
this poor boy was forever haunted by many a sick nickname
they taunted "egg head, four-eyes", making fire from a tiny flame
jeering insults was their unknowing way to maim
his tender heart, forever be broken and lame…
through the years he was often tempted to disclaim
the lovely word his parents chose as his first name,
the most precious lesson in life he learned to proclaim
bearing an unusual name, have pride, feel no shame




alone on the playground
27 june, 2006
(written for the Writer's Cramp)
Prompt : write a poem or story with the following first line :
"Nobody even knew my name…"