In my early years

The future seemed so bright

My head was full of dreams

Hope was easy to ignite

The days were full of joy

My laughter never ceased

The only fear of mine

Were myths of violent beasts

I now look back and wonder

How I missed all of the signs

Was it fear or denial?

Is the blame even mine?

I did not ask to be hidden away

My parents chose to raise me that way

My initial thought is always

To put the blame on them

They’re the ones who raised me

If it’s not their fault

Who’s is it then?

Then I stop and wonder

What was going through their heads

While I was trying to run and fly

They were busy keeping me alive

They saw the signs

They knew something was coming

They saw the sparks

While I was playing in the park

I look around me now

At all the destruction and pain

I have to wonder

Will anyone survive the flame

The people are divided

I’m afraid to be who I am

I’m choking on the smoke

Trying desperately to breathe

As I’m blinded by the fire

That all the rage and hate conceived

All I can do now

Is take cover and watch

As my childhood innocence

Becomes nothing more then a thought

As I watch in horror

At what my life has become

I grieve the loss of innocence

The loss of childhood fun

I sat back and watched for years

As the sparks began to light

And when I finally found my voice

It was too late and still too quiet

Yet in my last moments

From the back I heard a shout

“My city is on fire!”

But it was too late to put it out.