Reality shattered young hopes and dreams
Compounding teenage puberty
Exposing unfounded sympathy
Expecting love through willing sacrifice, begrudgingly

Family values to turn our backs on
Sexual trials to swim, drown, and forewarn
Misdirecting pain to maintain childish ideal
Never time to heal while living in upheaval

Damaged self identity
Stifling direction and voice
Through addiction and haze
Choosing to live life vicariously
Defeating intention by avoiding choice

One day the fog will lift
Revealing what was left behind
Give power to the remnants of the child that you find


© Katherine Bernhardt