Corrupting the Innocent

I was put on this Earth

solely to be the one that parents pointed to 

and said to their children--who's innocence was teetering above running water

"Do you want to end up like her?"

And the child shakes his head

discouraged by the non-life I have lead

I will find a time 

to catch the child alone

To say

I was like you once

had a dream

a vision

But I stumbled over a rock

too tiny and pathetic to be called significant

But the fall dangled reality in front of me

And I realized I had to protect myself

"From what?" asks the child.

From this harsh, harsh world

From this eternal darkness

From the past that I have run from

From the songs I used to sing about love

while strumming on my guitar

I found my armor 

by a stream

I stared at my reflection, detesting everything I saw

From the dull eyes

to the double chin

I Cupped my hands 

And dunked them into the water

disturbing the reflection of my face into a million ripples

And then drank 

I drank that stream dry

Fully aware of its evils

as well as the benefits

I no longer stumbled

But I no longer laughed

"Where can I find such a drink?

"One that will protect me"

You will find it 

Next to all the hatred of your life

About all the love you've ever felt

And below all the shame

And the child runs off to take his first

sip

While I ponder nothing

in my numb body

Feel nothing 

But the need for

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