Undone

They ignored the new boy,
snickering behind his back.

                                                    In silence, I stayed     safe.
                                                    My lips pressed          together.

Growing bolder, they
pierced him with arrow-sharp
words.

                                                    I pretended
                                                    I hadn’t                       heard.

They twisted his arms.
One word escaped his lips
before they dragged him
out of sight, out of earshot:
“Cowards!”

                                                    I ran                             away.


                                                    All the                          words
                                                    I didn’t say                    haunt me every day.