He swung again,
I staggered back.
He was angrier now
Than his last attack.

With malice and fury
His onslaught ensued,
My mouth bleeding
Entire body bruised.

His lips snarled
Around teeth so broken,
He spat hate filled words
I’d never heard spoken.

Then I heard her,
My savior had come,
“What the hell is wrong with you?
Just look what you’ve done!”

His eyes narrowed
Loathing without disguise.
But she continued,
“Pick on one your own size!”

The focus of his rage
Deviated from me.
This unruly girl
Became his newest enemy.

She didn’t stop.
Her voice gathered steam.
“Does no one love you?
Why are you so mean?”

Bristled, disheartened,
At the last thing she said,
No one did love him,
He wished he were dead.

“Just let me guess,
You have it so bad.
Were you left by Mom
And beaten by Dad?

You think you’re alone?
Welcome to my life.
This poor boy
Did not cause your strife.”

I bore witness as
Humanity reclaimed him.
Tears filled his eyes
And spilled over the rim.

Her tone changed,
For the first time seemed meek.
She reached for his face,
Wiped a tear from his cheek.

He snatched her hand.
He yanked her near,
And in that moment
She registered fear.

Then he did something
We didn’t expect.
He embraced her tightly
And he openly wept.

She whispered tenderly
When his eyes ran dry,
“I’ll be your safe place,
If want me nearby.”

With a nod of his head
His furor subsided.
He turned and he said,
“I’m sorry for what I did.”

Witness to a miracle,
I could hold no ill will.
Visible his regret
I remember it still.

Hand in hand
She led him away.
Two souls became one
In an alley that day.