• That almost-invisible boy,
    In the back of the class,
    People don’t like him,
    So they are crass.
    He doesn’t like it,
    Would you?
    He spent his time wisely,
    Turned in work when due.
    Good grades, better grades,
    Was why the other students teased him,
    He knew that, in fact,
    They did not want to seem dim.
    By now he has asked himself,
    “Why is that so?
    They have nothing to prove,
    Nothing to show.”
    He took the jibes nicely,
    All in good humor,
    Before it got out of hand,
    And someone started a rumor.
    No one quite knows what it was,
    But they’re awfully sure it’s bad.
    He’s a little abashed
    “Why would someone do that?”
    He was an average Joe,
    Not too tall, small, or fat.
    No one is talking to him
    He’s been isolated and banished.
    His parents don’t know
    That his social graces have vanished.
    Asking gets them nowhere,
    So they ask former friends.
    And they’ve found out,
    Determined to make amends
    With average Joe.
    Speaking to the principal,
    He says we’re sorry for your loss,
    But bullying is a part of school,
    He goes on, covering it up with gloss.
    Average Joe’s parents leave,
    Feeling as if they can’t do anything,
    Meanwhile, Joe is in school,
    Still nursing the rumor’s sting.
    He’s decided to be brave,
    Tell everyone they’re wrong,
    Cleanse the rumor from himself
    Finally stand up and be strong.