Innocence

Sometimes I wonder

If I can know all I know

And still be innocent

Then I asked someone

"Why name it innocence 

if it is simply all about ignorance?"

I was told you can

know all you know

And still be innocent

Then i pondered in my affliction,

"Why not simply be stupid, naive,

and empty in the name of Innocence?"

The moment I lost my innocence

The day my mother birthed me

In her sin and my father's

Fear said I should stay little

Devil himself asked, "Can black conceive white?"

Little me itched my weary soul's sore

Is the earth, my world innocent?

Then I am

Can Old age keep me as I was born?

Then I am

Can my wee age protect me from evil?

Then I am

Can I regain innocence once lost?

Then I am

Or can my ignorance be excused?

Then I am 

Innocently innocent.

Help me.

Author's Note

This is a tribute for all children suffering out there.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Unfortunately, children are robbed of their innocence all the time & often way too soon. I find it interesting & intriguing the way you seemingly compare innocence with ignorance, 2 things I wouldn't have thought to compare or interchange!??! Very thought-provoking, almost as if being innocent is no longer a virtue! *sigh!* Fondly, Margie

[Mirror]

Oh thank you, Marg. I always love it when you stop by. thank you.

[A Lonely Larke]

Words fail me how to properly convey my great feelings towards this piece.

It is one of the most powerful I have read on here so far. And it encompasses such a basic concept - yet one that we as humans have yet to fully comprehend and appreciate and likely never well.

I remember as a teen, I asked a man of faith who worked 7 days a week doing work for the community, when he planned to rest for a while.

He replied "When no child here feels unloved, unwanted and no eyes are damp with last night's tears, then I shall rest."

Your poem elegantly shows why he could never rest...and why we can't either.

[Mirror]

My dear Larke, this review warms my heart. thank you for reading and sharing the same feeling i had while writing this piece. Thank you. your reviews are so kind.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Dear Mirror, this is such a heart-breaking and deeply moving tribute to all children suffering in this world at the hands of evil and greed and ignorance. Your image and words bleed on the page. Your form, use of childlike questions and repetition have such an impact on the reader. I feel the cry and the outrage in this. You make such an important statement to raise awareness and evoke change. “Help me.” You say- Yes! Magnificent. Brava!

[Mirror]

Annette, your review brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for understanding this piece. Our prayers go to our children round the world. Thank you for reading and review. God bless you.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are wonderfully compassionate, talented and you are very welcome Mirror!

[Paul Bell]

Powerful poem. I think even ignorant people know right from wrong. They may disguise it as innocence.
But they know alright.

[Mirror]

Yes, Paul. They know.

Thanks for reading

[AYVID N]

Ignorance is not innocence. Choosing to remain ignorant is even worse. Its blatant selfishness. There's so much going on in the world that needs our attention, our empathy and I think of the real innocents, the children here.

I was told you can
know all you know
And still be innocent
Then i pondered in my affliction,
"Why not simply be stupid, naive,
and empty in the name of Innocence?"

Such telling and beautiful lines...

[Mirror]

Thank you dear friend. Our prayers to children who are suffering and people are simply "innocent" about it. :(