I think of a child
Barely five
World ahead of them
Or so they were told
They saw the first time it happened
It scared the little kid to death
No apologies were given after
Not like the other stories their friends told
Maybe it was because the love was lacking
Maybe it was because the manners were lacking
Either ways, the respect was lost early on
But at nine, it happened again
Scarier, more violent
It left marks
On the body, on the soul
The kid felt alone
Then as time passed they barely felt anything at all
It will be okay was their mantra of choice
Thirteen with no hopes or dreams
Just a preferred escape plan
A plan they couldn't execute
But they soldiered on, said they'll get out in a couple years
It happened on the tv
Why wouldn't it be their story too
Eighteen-year-old who got out
And by got out, they meant their hopelessness gave them one game plan
They wanted, god, they craved
The end of the dilemma
But they turned eighteen, almost nineteen
They didn't find their peace
No idea why the world keeps moving
When all they want to do is make it cease
Make every hurtful day look back and apologize
Apologize for every broken sob, every empty thought
It will be okay, they say no more
Because they outlived their expectancy
And it is awful, continuing to exist
But not experience the life you were given
Stuck between expectations that were set for a child
And between a life they didn't choose
Sometimes, for a brief second, they feel alive
It never lasts though, doubt it ever will
I think of a girl
Mostly old enough to vote
World ahead of her, or so she was told
She continues to see it happen
No matter how much it scares her
She tries to take a breath.
