Innocence Lost

I watch as his body bathes

In the shallow mountain stream,

By the glowing twilight of this day.

His head bowed in quiet study.

The late afternoon sun reflecting

Softly from his youthful frame.

An innocence personified

By untroubled thoughts and dreams,

As pure as the cool dark pool

Where he plays with the little fish.

A child unaffected by the past

Or the burdens of the present.

A boy’s wishful indifference lost

In a world of his own making.

I wish to hold you forever

In this moment of childhood bliss.

There is so much you do not know

Of the sorrow in this world;

The fear that will grow like a weed,

The pride and the pain, you will learn,

Fall like rain. And you will come

To know them all, and recall

That moment in the sun when

You were carefree,

Your time your own,

Your play your dream.

Sheltered, protected, unaware

Of the world beyond your play.

The future is yours, but it can wait!

I am saddened to know your destiny.

I fear for you and what will be.

An innocence lost!

The water is cool and clear,

The sun is warm and bright.

But someday you will realize

There is a price to be paid

To live in this world we have made.

And for that I am truly sorry.