Innocence

Big brown eyes

full of curiosity,

searching for truths

to satisfy her inquisitions.

Starry, hope-filled eyes

that believed deep down

that she had strength

to stand by her morality.

She grew up.

Once bright eyes began to flicker

as reality set in.

The world was not as kind

as she had once thought it to be.

Fiery eyes soon became extinguished

as life turned cold and coarse and cruel.

Truth that was once so desperately craved

became a deeply resented foe.

And she made a realization.

Dejected eyes traced the lines,

the marks, the stains, the scars.

Rereading and reliving

each unforgiving memory.

Big brown eyes looked hopelessly

down in resigned despair

at the darts, contraceptives, spirits, cuts,

at a blood and tear-stained diary.

Her innocence was gone.

And it was never coming back.