The Innocent One

A poem about a youth who is sheltered and afraid of living life.

 

    They call him innocent but it is a front;

    A mask he wears to hide the truth.

    I know who he is, I know his worries.

    It is not innocence, but fear;

    Fear of change, of unfamiliar motions.

 

    He is afraid to feel, afraid of taking

    A chance on something new and strange.

    When change erupts he runs for cover

    And waits until everything is back to normal.

    He will never know what it’s like to fly.

          

    He hides in his house in a tiny room;

    Thoughts are replaced by mindless activities.

    He lives on routine, today is yesterday.

    His life is played out, nothing is different;

    He knows everything that will happen.

 

    Contemplation comes at night as he lies in bed.

    He is scared and nervous for the future.

    He is still and fearful he will always be still;

    He wants to move but the fear holds him.

    He is locked inside himself, he lets no one in.

 

    At last the day comes when everything changes.

    Corruption breaks into his tiny world;

    His cave of seclusion collapses.

    He is unprepared for the wonders of the world,

    And his mind is plagued with doubt and distrust.

          

    He cannot handle the evil that lurks

    Behind every corner, every depraved smile.

    There are big lies disguised by smaller lies.

    He soon learns that everyone is artificial;

    They are the sharks and thieves of society.

 

    It is a woman who finally sets him free.

    Her wild ways turn him scared but she holds on. 

    Her wicked softness may blur his vision and 

    Steal his virtue, but she makes him see reality,

    And realize that he is in control and no one

    Can take that away from him.