teddy left behind

"quiet. be still," teddy said,
"they'll find us if you speak.
you must not make a single sound,
or make the floor boards creak.

we're winning this game of mice and men.
we're most ingeniusly concealed.
but, if your patience doesn't last,
we'll surely be revealed."

so john stood still in the shadowed hall,
silent, and cleverly hidden.
he was afraid that if he made a noise
he'd never be forgiven.

teddy told him what to do.
teddy told him what to say.
teddy told him when to pick a fight.
teddy told him when to play.

teddy used to make john happy.
teddy was john's best friend.
but, lately john had been thinking
that their friendship soon must end.

the happiness was empty now,
and increasingly shortlived.
john knew somewhere deep inside
he didn't want what teddy had to give.

slowly, john put teddy down
upon the wooden floor.
"what are you doing?" teddy asked.
john said, "i don't need you anymore."

"silly boy, of course you do,"
teddy whispered with a sneer,
"without me you're nothing;
you'd simply disappear."

"that's not true," john replied,
"i can make it without you.
i'm a real boy with my own mind;
i can choose what i say and do.

i'll show you how much stronger
i am now than i was before.
i'll turn my back and walk away,
and leave you on the floor."

teddy snarled, "you're such a fool!
or can't you see? i am all you know.
you're too afraid, you're too weak,
to turn around and go."

but john said not another word.
he took a breath to keep him steady.
he stood up tall, his chin held high;
he was finally ready.

toward the light john turned then -
teddy's rule over him was done -
and slowly, but excitedly,
he walked out into the sun.