I stopped a lady on the street
As she was passing by
“My father died last year,” I said,
“Left Mom, my sister, and I.”
Her eyes widened in shock
She stammered apologies
But I just smiled back at her
Calm and collected as you please
“It’s quite all right,” I said,
And I felt her relax
“I’m used to it by now, you see,
It’s just a matter of fact.”
She gave me quite a strange look
But then she smiled back
“I guess it’s not such a big deal,
If you’re so matter of fact.”
Then she continued on her way
And I turned back myself
As I started for my house
I saw a man all by himself
“Hey, kid, what are you doing?
Out all on your own?”
“My parents are real mean to me
That’s why I’m out alone.”
He stopped and looked at me
“I’m sorry, kid,” he said
But I just said cheerfully,
“Well, I could be dead.”
He stuttered for a moment
Thinking of what to say
But then he shrugged his shoulders
“If you really feel that way . . .”
I smiled, and nodded
“Yes, I really do,
Some people’s lives are awful
Feel bad for them too.”
He gave me a strange look
But then he smiled back
“I guess it’s not such a big deal,
If you’re so matter of fact.”
I said to my friend
At school the next day
“Do you know what happened
To me yesterday?”
She sighed and said, “Tell me.”
And so then I did
She rolled her eyes at me
“Oh gosh, heaven forbid!”
I rolled my eyes right back
“You’re real silly, you know.”
She smiled, a bit abashed
“I guess I’m very much so.”
“If I said you were stupid,
Would you just agree?
Or would you turn the tables
And get real mad at me?”
She thought for a moment
And then she answered me
“People are chameleons
Who change for all to see.”
Is it good and how can I improve?
People Are Chameleons?
I like it a lot, especially the end. It's very original...
