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Innocence born; trust, laughter, and smiles

She has not a concern, a care, or worry, she is only but a child.

Her beauty contagious as she shares and cares about all,

No hatred, no anger, no reason to fight that she can recall.

Lurking deep in the shadows, a stranger watches with intent.

She has no clue of the danger, toward which this presence is bent.

He’ll lure her with promises so sickeningly sweet.

He’ll woo her and charm her knocking her off her feet.

She won’t know of the deception that can quickly change her fate.

She won’t know that she’s been trapped until its almost too late.

He will fill her head with lies and temptations sure to please,

But watch out young one, he’s a deceiver his dazzle is a tease.

Soon you will want nothing more than to argue, fuss, and fight,

You won’t care about the person, their feelings or their plight.

You will become self-centered, desiring only earthly treasure,

You will be entrenched in greed; your hunger will be without measure.

More and more, is the chant that loops inside your head,

You will look alive, but it’s a lie, your eyes are all but dead.

There is still time, says a voice beside you; to turn and change your course,

You can walk away from greed and malice; you can live without remorse.

Turn away from evil, all the lies and promises made in vain

Walk away from anger and bitterness before nothing of you remains.

She looks both ways to assess the next move, unsure of what to do,

Hanging tight to her wrath, but feeling its weight, the invite she can’t construe.

Deep in the recess of her memory, a feeling starts to unfold

She remembers a time of laughter and joy, a time when anger wasn’t so bold.

Her tears start to fall as she ponders how and when she ever went astray

How did she get so bitter and angry, how did she get this way?

Don’t look back, dear child, this soft voice soothingly assures,

I can help you leave this behind, to a place where your life is secure.

She lifts her hand to the one who promised to help her change her fate

As he holds her hand, she feels safe and warm, she knows now it’s not too late.