When You're Different

It starts when you're young,
but you don't always know,
though the looks make you wonder
what is happening around you
that makes you feel funny,
and you want to withdraw
to a corner just to read or
observe the large gathering
When you're different.

And, as you grow,
you enjoy making friends.
The laughter and game playing
 can seem never to end.
Then the laughter stops around
something you've said.
The stares seem confused
and lost in the thought
of what had just happened
and how to respond to the
moment of misunderstanding.
Why don't they comprehend
the views and the humor
of your entertaining mind
when you're different?

The friendships that come and go
reflect the desire to
find the kind heart that
is open to observations
not normally explored.
They call you "deep thinker",
and some walk away
from a fear of discovery
of the changes that
may come their way.
But it's all a desire to
search the deep caverns
of a life that's wide-reaching
when you're different.