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.