My innocence

Once upon a time,
when I knew not a dime,
When I was a novice
to the evils of the world.

Pure was I,
Carefree I moved,
my tiny feet on the soil,
running, scattering dust.

My twinkling little eyes,
brimming with curiosity,
my little lips parting,
searching for ways to feed it.

Then I learned how to truly love.
I learned to offer my second hand
even when the first was rejected.
I believed the world was pure,
that innocence was golden,
just like a fairy tale.

But that was once upon a time.

Now I know more than I need.
No longer a novice,
I have seen and felt
the evils of the world.
My innocence stripped away,
My garments are now stained.

I became quiet, reserved,
losing interest in
the things I once sought.

I learned to withdraw my hands
when they were rejected,
learned to love
Only when I was loved.

My once-twinkling eyes
now darkened,
veiled with disgust.
My pure heart,
no longer pure.