Was Once a Child

 

Was Once a Child: Dedicated to a girl I knew when we were children. I have thought of her often over the years. I have not seen her since we were children. A few weeks ago, her life was taken in violence. This poem is for her. 

Once, not too long ago, she ran free;

Burdened by cares of the playground,

A bruised knee, a hurt feeling. 

Once, she laughed at the mundane;

Seeing life for what it was-

Through the eyes of the innocent.

Once this child sat in awe,

Fascinated by the magic,

By the mystery of the land of make-believe.

Once, she began to grow.

Life’s tapestry, once hopeful,

Colorful threads weaving a life

becomes frayed and tattered.

The visions of make-believe fade to reality.

But, she was once a child. 

Once, growing and seeing anew

The world’s magic changing 

To a now darker hue

Wanting again to be deceived 

To once again run free…

The child could not return..

Once, she was beauty;

A face to a thousand fans.

Glorified, crowned and praised

A worldy admiration,

A soulless salutation.

Once, not long ago, she could not be free.

Running away or running towards,

She had lost the vision.

Make-believing her own reality.

Lost and forgetting the beauty of childhood,

Her innocence mistaken and broken;

Robbed of a chance to return.

Lying faceless in a nameless place.

The threads of life now torn.

Many will not forget,

tho’ she may have for time,

Those days of youth,

days of wonder.  

And now, she returns to the child who once was.

This time, forever.