...
(The Art of Living)
When they first told you
You didn't deserve to live
You wondered
What the word 'demon' meant
And why it's a mistake
That you're alive
.
When they said
You were the son of the devil
You believed them
After all, people didn't get the title of 'Pirate King'
For helping those in need
.
When they yelled
And threw things
You screamed
And threw punches
'Cause maybe you didn't deserve the air you breathed
But they didn't deserve your tears
Or blood
.
When you met the boy in blue
Things started looking up
You're not sure about how happy you feel
Knowing this boy
But eventually,
You think he might just be a friend
(That's never happened before)
.
When you first see the other boy
Technically your brother (by adoption)
All you can think
Is 'weak'
He shouldn't be here
In the wild
He should be at home
With a mother and father
(No one smiles like that
In these woods)
.
Whenever you see this boy cry
All you can think
Is 'I don't deserve your tears'
And that's so confusing
You hit him to shut him up
Only to feel guilty about it later
.
When he is punched
Over and over again
Protecting a secret for you
(And the boy in blue)
When you see his blood drip
All you can think
Is 'I'll never deserve your blood'
Before you rush in
To make it stop
(Ironically enough, this is how he decides
Bleeding for your sake is okay
Not that you'd know that)
.
When you promise to be brothers
You know this bond is stronger than blood
You don't choose who you're related to
(You know better than most)
But as the sour smell of alcohol
Hits your senses
And you raise your red cup high
You chose your brothers
And they chose you
Not even blood beats that
.
When you lose him
One third of your life
Left with the boy in blue
You try to satisfy yourself with the knowledge
That he's free
(But why isn't that enough for you?)
.
When he makes you promise
Sitting atop that hill
To never die
All you can think
Is 'Of course not'
'Cause maybe you don't deserve the air you breathe
But this little boy
(Your brother)
Deserves this much from you
And, you admit, probably a whole lot more
.
(How ironic that you find
Blood and tears and breath and life
Even promises you made in grief
Are nothing to you when it's for this boy
You thought was weak
But is so much stronger)
He will live
No matter what anyone tells him
Right now
You'll make sure of that