His eyes glittered as they filled with water,
jaw set, lips tight in the I don't want to cry look.
Gazing down at him as he looked up at me,
eyes so big, beautiful, revealing.
Sadness finally spilled out of his mouth,
taunts, torments, ill treatment
cracks in the armor
finally shone forth.

I sighed, listening to it all.
His run ins with ugliness, meaness
dampening his exuberance.
Thinking how to teach a child to rise up,
I let him sob it out.
Then I said,
I'll teach you how to fight.