My Lost Boy

His father could not bear the sight of him.
His mother could not stand his presence.
But I loved him,
    I loved him with all my heart.
I understood his struggle,
    I witnessed the strife.
Something no one ever knew
but always passed judgement on.

It was never easy,
      never cut or clear.
He tried, begged, pleaded but
it was never enough for them.
It was always enough for me.
He was never appreciated,
never complimented.
Always broken down,
      never built up.

And then one day he snapped.

The boy with the painted on smile
      was taken away from us.
He just snapped
      and the colors were washed away.
His parents have forgotten
      the son they never wanted.
But I'll always remember
      the boy I used to have.