Wretched Beauty
Who were you?
Before the loathsome present.
Tonight you are
Stooped
Filthy
Rotting
Who were you?
Years ago, before the streets consumed you
Tonight you are
Abused
Addicted
Abandoned
Who were you?
Before this.
Before evil
Neglect
The world
Chewed away your dignity
***** away your humanity
Who were you?
In the springtime of your life
When love and beauty and possibility abounded.
You were mine
And my betrayal put you here.
I’m sorry.