Angela Davis - Outsider

The other children
played on the swings
as I hid for my life
They laughed and smiled
as my cheeks
were bathed in tears
As they sang their joy
I sobbed in my sorrow and pain
They were safe
yet were too innocent
to appreciate it
as I fought for survival
They knew only gentle love
from those responsible for them
as I cringed in terror
at the slightest touch
They were clean and well dressed
as bruises, blood and rags clothed me
They looked, laughed and pointed at me
mocking my suffering
I looked at them
envied and pitied them
for their lack of understanding
What was so different between them and I
that they should be cherished
and I should be reviled

I was an outsider...

Angela Davis

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/outsider/