A soft sympathetic voice
cries
Please,
don’t forget
what I was,
a child of love.
Please don’t
let go
of my heart.
Please,
be kind
and kindle
the hearth fire
of compassion.
Please don’t run
when I need you
to stay.
Please,
oh please
don’t
forget me.
The gentle voice
slips away
as the barer
stares coldly
into a blank face.
It is a dark mirror
that marks his change.