It started out with innocence
At the hour of ones birth
And nurtured, by parental love,
It is gently dispersed.
Until words cannot be used
Or deeds given out
Without the magnitude
Of history laden down
With a curse.
So now I cannot speak or move
For fear of being misconstrued
Of standing on another's toes
Honesty and truth twisted
As a *****
Right and wrong swap places
At every interface
For mankind named these things
Only for itself and this sacred race.
So wretched soul that I am
A voice lost in smoke
Watching as others
Puff cigarette ash
In what, once was a face.

Love Mary **