I watch in silence as the children play
Innocent games like tag and keep-away
Pushing and shoving, the weakest child falls
And the playground monitors see nothing at all

A big boy teasing pulls a little girl’s hair
We feel for the girl so let the bullies beware
But what about empathy for the boy and his deed
Abuse and neglect is the home life he leads

But all I can do is stand here in silence
Condemned to a world of hatred and violence
For the crimes I committed before I could see
The ways that the playground had taught me to be...