Childhood

Beautiful tender child

such soft, young skin, such bright earnest eyes

there she is, playing with her teddy bear

her smile shines like pearls, her laughter like the song of a cardinal

her hair like a crystalline flowing stream, her youth at its peak

such naïve thoughts, her innocence like white powdery snow

her touch sends a thousand monarchs fluttering

a young girl, her sweetness is honey, her face full of wonder and curiosity

her ceaseless bouncy energy is electric and contagious

oh how the world is cruel and chaotic, confusing and complex

yet there she stands, vulnerable, clueless, unequipped 

exposed to too much to soon, it becomes too late

hurt and pain does not discriminate, it bypasses no one

danger, lurks around the bend in a park, abuse hides under a dress 

suffering lays behind the sunrise, brokenness camouflaged against a doll

torture is quietly packaged in candy,  humiliation wrapped in lace 

yet there she stands, her tattered fragile wings ready to float away

astounding dreams awaken her and she eagerly presses on

then, once again a word stings her, an action burns her, loneliness drowns her 

bitterness surrounds her, insecurity jostles her, emptiness overwhelms her

failure mocks her, rejection plagues her, fear pins her to the ground

deadly vicious cycles corrupt her tiny beating heart, despair scarres her soul

she sheds her vivid coats of colour until there is only darkness as her life shatters in pieces at her feet 

she falls but no one catches her, she screams yet no one hears

oh my dear sweet child, if only I could protect you

if only I could take you away from it all

if only I can restore and preserve that childhood 

this is for all the little girls, enjoy your childhood and be careful

let no man destroy you, let no storm strip you of your dignity 

let nothing come between you and your fairy tales 

be strong and courageous

you are a valuable and precious gem.