Abandoned Shadows

Abused and mauled by filthy loveless hands, Devoured by baseness, wickedness and shame, A victim, slave to selfish fools’ demands, With freedom kept on paranoid restrain. The mannish-child has crushed the sweetest rose, And, cheerful, tears off butterfly’s soft wings, Intent on turning beauty’s joys to woes, He’s threatened, terrified of purer things. Courageous, strong, her soul has overcome, This unclean, cowardly, and hate-filled world, ‘Though bruised and battered, bleeding, coldly numb, Her shy and tender petals have uncurled. She spreads her lovely wings and takes to flight, Abandons shadows, makes for heaven’s light. for Deb's and Cyndi's sonnet contest shakespearean sonnet