Only a joke

A poem about bullying, regret, denial

Only a joke
Only a game
Just some teasing
Just some names

Just a little poke
Just a light punch
Just taking his money
Taking his lunch

He kind of deserved it
He should’ve been strong
He should’ve ignored us
Should’ve played along

He shouldn’t have done it
That night in July
He should’ve told us
That he wanted to die

We would’ve stopped it
If only we’d known
If only he’d told us
What he did at home

He sliced his arms
He burned his flesh
Then one night in July
A noose round his neck

He shouldn’t have done it
He shouldn’t have been scared
If only we’d known
If only we’d cared