Protective Shadows

I walk around on the streets
With the sun glaring in my eyes
My muddy coat, dirty hair
People look
People stare

I stare at the sun with a frown
What makes me so different?
Just a child that has no home
No family to love
How is that so wrong?

Is there a place where I am loved?
Where I can smile and I can laugh
Where I have food on a plate
And clean water in a cup?
And most importantly

A pair of arms that keep me warm
When I am scared and confused
I wish that people wouldn’t stare
Like I have committed a crime
I wanted to be alone

A place where I am not seen or noticed
And then the sun sets
My time to forget
All things that I have seen
And all the words that I have heard

My time to walk when there is no one there
No one to look and stare
A single man walks by
Unaware of the child in the shadows
Protected by the darkness

He doesn’t look at me
Not even a glance
It feels good to not be resented
Or stared at as if I’m on display
I am free in these protective shadows