Innocence lost.

“Behind the wall I made a little hole in,

I search for signs of hope and goodness, stolen.

When I learn of all the circumstances love is abused,

I only grow that much more confused.

The way I was back then is how I remain;

now I think all love comes with pain.

Every gift comes with a guilty wrap;

every praise I seek becomes a slap,

not literal, much more invidious.

Add it too the wall that blocks out trust,

keep me locked inside a self-built room

that day-by-day becomes more like a tomb.”