To Be A Villain

There's a lie we've all believed,

stories told while tucked in bed.

About our heroes and the villains,

but the truth was left unsaid.

We grew up loving magic,

wanting beauty, needing power.

Things unobtainable,

and it haunts us by the hour.

In legends villains weren't adored,

only heroes earned the fame.

Villains were the criminals, barbarians,

evil creatures filled with shame.

They were monsters, they were foul,

they were unworthy of our cheers,

when all along these villains

were the ones who shared our fears.

As adults we realize now,

that they're misunderstood.

Not breaking down, or giving up,

even when they should.

Heroes fight with honor,

making people scream their name.

Never fought the biggest battle

which is dealing with the pain.

Survival can be ugly,

can be awful, can be brutal.

No one cares about their journey,

why try when it's futile?

No one ever chides a hero,

they're gifted with free-range.

Yet one false move makes a villain,

and no one finds it strange.

A villain dwells in loneliness,

they're victims of misfortune.

Every path they try to take

becomes mangled with distortion.

A hero shines with brightness,

dark exudes a villain's hue.

It's their solace and respite,

but to others, it's taboo.

Rumors are cruelly spoken,

thrown with malice meant to hurt.

So why are people so surprised

when villains choose to invert?

Happy ever after

is an ending for a hero.

Unbefitting for a villain

forced to reap what others sew.

If these are the traits

defining someone to be vile,

then I guess that I'm a Villain...

I'll wear my title with a smile.