SHY GUY

I was the shy guy from Linden High

I looked down as others walked by

I went to school and then I went home

It was less painful to just be alone

Stayed in the shadow, never in the light

Afraid of the bullies, avoiding a fight

Never was in, always was out

Never became a part of the crowd

Nobody asked me to play in a game

I didn’t try, I felt so much shame

I was rarely called, to join in the fun

When people were asked, I was the last one

I never dated, I was always too shy

The girls I liked went out with other guys

I never felt good about myself

I just hid away on a dark shelf

I was the shy guy from Linden High

I was too shy to even try

A cruel word or a mock hurt so much

What I really needed was a kind touch

The kids could be, so heartless and cruel

And I was the shy guy from Linden High

school

Judging myself and others by perfection

I created my shyness and self rejection

Someone else was smarter or taller

They were OK, my self image got smaller

There was always so much pain inside

So much fear that I would hide

To my own good qualities I was blind

I was the shy guy from Linden High

I was the shy guy from Linden High

I was too shy to even try

Sometimes I just wanted to cry ….

© 1994 Jerome M. Waler
Montrose, CO