Hollow
I knew them in their innocence
Once filled with imagination and joy
Playing fun games, climbing trees
Offering a helping hand to others
Able to care, able to be who they are
Then, those who ruled had their way
Teaching inexplicable things
They were trapped by ‘conditional’ love
Striving, always striving to earn it
Nothing was ever good enough
Then abuse, turned their fear to rage
Later, I saw them become hollow
Empathy was gone with time
Hollow like dead, old, trees
Acting out as if they will never fall
Following footsteps of those who ruled
Becoming a reflection of all they endured
They are living, but they are gone
Carrying out their immoral ways
Was it the only way to get recognition?
Was it the only way to be safe?
By being on the side of perpetrators?
I will never know the full reason
I have only watched to witness
Their innocence disappear in the dark
But, I still remember the days
When they were young and innocent
Just trying to be who they are
Now, their eyes hold a vacant stare
Their beings are hollow, without a care
Turned into the monsters they once feared
Heidi Sands
6/11/18
*Placed 2nd in the Hollow Contest.
Copyright © Heidi Sands | Year Posted 2018
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