A young man dropped by

On a rainy day                            

While I was busy 

Writing poetry

He talked about

Bullying and injustice

But his weak voice 

Was muffled by

The splattering of rain

Against the window panes

 

Distracted, I listened 

Without my full attention  

He stopped talking

With downcast eyes

He walked away

I did not see him

For many days

And started to get worried

So I visited his home

I found his mother crying

And I was shocked to see

A black wreath hanging on the door

A portrait photo of her son

Was on the parlor wall

She told me 

Her son had died

Two weeks ago 

After coming home from school

To this day 

I wonder sadly

Did my inattention 

Contribute to his demise

By Shih-Fang Wang

From: United States