Beaten with a stick
thrashed by a belt
man weeps for the child
over the hand that he was dealt

walking for long hours
church clock as his guide
avoiding human beings
environmental genocide

lost inside a moment
never-ending pause
beasts visited in dreams
ripping with their claws

child petrified
devoid of understanding
paranoia in full bloom
irrational thoughts expanding

man weeps for the child
who took it on the chin
for the cards that he was dealt
cemented no chance of a win