Threads of cerise vulnerability and ivory innocence
Stitched together by persistent gentle pulses
Came together to clothe an awkward frame.
Not a child, but not yet tainted by unfortunate truth
An image of jubilant ignorance.

Spinning in church aisles,
Crashing down grassy hills,
With every adventure
A common element;
A fresh stain,
A loose stitch,
A frayed edge.
A blemish to be patched;
But also a constant reminder
Of brighter times
Spent in childish bliss.

Years passed like snow white petals
Being violently plucked
From a wild daisy.
Cruel fingers began pointing
At the spots and stains
Left by childhood vigor.
Now marks of ridicule,
Reasons for loneliness,
And motivation to throw away
Youthful paradise.

Unyielding love
Traded for new acceptance.
Joyful memories
Traded for the unknown.
What once adorned delicate flesh
Now hung in forgotten darkness
With no hope of being a part
Of this new phase
Of naïve life.

Flocks of dust now rest on pink petals
And white lace.
Innocence put on the shelf
To grab a fallacy hand.
Childhood guide lay to rest,
But still alive in an a wistful mind
Remembering better times.