Shades of Gray

In the depths of his mind, a young boy hides Beneath the surface of his smile, a broken heart resides his eyes, once bright with laughter and delight Now reflect a gloomy, melancholic sight

He walks the halls with his head down low Feeling like a ghost, a shadow, a nobody to show His peers laugh and chatter, but he feels alone In a crowded room, he can't find a place to call his own

The weight of the world rests upon his chest An invisible force that refuses to rest Every breath feels like a struggle to take Every move feels like a choice he must fake

At home, his room is a sanctuary of despair His walls are adorned with posters that he no longer cares His bed, is a refuge for a tired, lonely soul His mind, is a prison he can't seem to control

he wants to reach out, to cry for help But the words get stuck, the fear makes him yelp he thinks no one will understand his pain He feels like an outcast, a misfit, a stain

Days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months The darkness consumes him, and he can't confront His family, friends, and teachers are unaware Of the war inside him that he can't declare

But hope is not lost, a light still shines A helping hand, a friend who aligns A listening ear, a shoulder to cry A kind word, a reason to try

The road ahead is long, but he's not alone he'll find his way, and he'll find a home With patience, love, and a willingness to heal he'll break free from the shackles of what he feels

For he is not defined by his depression he's a warrior, a fighter, a beautiful expression Of the human spirit, that can overcome The darkest of days, and still find the sun.

So if you ever see a young boy walking by With a look in his eyes that makes you wonder why Just smile, say hello, and show you care For you never know how much it may repair.