Boys will be boys like flames will be flames.
Burning, devouring, consuming.
Destroying.

They will be excused and pardoned and adored while you turn to ash.
The ones you love will warm their hands without a second thought.
They’ll tell you to stop being so scared and strike a match,
because they don’t think you have anything to lose.

Boys will be boys like hurricanes will be hurricanes.
Crushing, ravaging, shattering.
Ending.

They will be spoken about only in hushed whispers while you turn to debris.
The ones you love will try to teach you how to prevent them, but natural disasters have a mind of their own.
They’ll tell you to stay still and cover your head,
and to let it happen around you.

Boys will be boys like bombs will be bombs.
Exploding, mutilating, ruining.
Wrecking.

They will get on national television and tell you it’s all that could be done, while you melt out of your skin and into an apologetic smile.
The ones you love will mourn the loss of whoever you used to be now that you’re but a shadow on their wall.
They’ll tell you it will be over soon, that everyone just wants the best,
that you were collateral damage,
and that boys will be boys.