Deflection was his default mode he was good at it
few saw it coming most never knew what hit them.
He could never explain it was a purely defensive gambit
one of many he’d perfected to avoid pain.
He understood he was different saw the effect it had on others
took in how they looked at him just before he’d look away.
He got how this made them uneasy then angry
he could never manage to demonstrate benign intent.
Their contempt convinced him of his own inadequacy
their hostility overwhelmed his attempts at bravery.
But he knew he had courage and he had heart
they could not know he’d walked through fire for them.
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