Hated

I know they say a lot about me when I'm not around
When I walk into the room nobody makes a sound
I've asked and talked and cried and prayed and tried to make amends
Apologized and watched my mouth, why can't we all be friends
They tell me there's no problem and the problem lies with me
Which statement shall I accept as truth because they can't both be
It stands to reason I can't change what's wrong if I don't know
There's not a thing that I can do but watch their hatred grow
To one who should defend me I asked what can I do
He said they need someone to hate, I don't know why but they chose you
Each day I fail to measure up stretches out to years
While they continue blaming me for everybody's tears
How long till the unfounded anger toward me is abated
How long must I go on pretending I don't know I'm hated