To the girl sitting by herself in English class:

 

I saw you today, sitting by yourself

I thought it was odd.

You usually have so much to talk about

And you don't think that we listen

But we do.

I like your stories that you'd tell us

Before the bell rang.

And I like how animated you look

When you tell us that your baby brother took his first steps

Or that you finally got your license

I liked that

You had personality.

 

He was totally out of line

When he told you that nobody cared

Because it wasn't true

He doesn't speak for all of us.

 

I wanted to say something

And tell him he was wrong

And that we all loved listening to your stories

But I froze

And no one else could fight the cold either.

 

You looked so sad

And you haven't said anything since.

I think it's my fault.

 

I should have told you sooner

I should have stood up for you 

I should have told him he was wrong

I shouldn't have been such a coward.

 

I'm writing this note

In the hope that it makes up

For the words I should have spoken

And shouldn't have swallowed.

 

From,

The girl in the back row.