The pain of a child
Doesn't rain in tears
It settles in the heart
Giving birth to fears
Each breath is an ache
Throbbing, sharp
The vanishing of a smile
Is the tear of a child
"But he laughs and he plays,"
The ignorant say
"So do all those,
Who have escaped the blame."
He sits and he ponders
"How do I escape?"
"Death," Satan whispers,
"Is the course to take"
Dreary and frightening,
As it may seem
The child does not know
Another way of ease
He steps to the window
Turns to see
A figure, a tear
Even a wave or plea
Convinced by the stillness of all behind
He returns to the view
To which Satan invites
Quivering, silent
Afraid to step
For fear the next
May mean his death
"Is relief not what you desire?"
The devil persists
Shoving the angels,
He takes a breath
Stepping ahead
He feels the wind
Believes the journey
Will now begin
Seconds it takes
The illusion to shatter
Satan's deep throated cackle
Fades into matter
* * *
The mother howls
The father reprimands
Everywhere, the child is now a star
They send him love,
They send him kisses
But failed to fulfill
His simple wishes
They nurse the gashes
Of souls that have left
Fret when they're ashes
And anon forget.
