Skeleton

the other children called her
a skeleton
her bones so visible
beneath her skin
they laughed because
they said they could
count her ribs
under her shirt
she wore a hat to school
to hide her hairless head
no matter what the
teachers told them
the kids always tried to
take it off
their laughter
bothered her none
crude jokes
brought no tears to her eyes
the silly kids
they didn't know
why she was so weak
and then she was gone
and they were told
why she was so thin
no one could say sorry now
it was just too late