A New Generation

Starving youth
screaming for innocence
with every step
faltering
on high stilts
looking above the crowd
and seeing nothing.
Swaying in the breeze
staggering through the storm
falling in the dust
coughing childhood's fruit
onto the ground
standing up
strong
and walking away
taller than before.
Fabric fluttering
clinging to the bones of modesty
crying for the soft arms
of a happy child
but finding only the sticks and stones
of a grey statue.
Starving, hungry youth
pleading for innocence
with every sweep of the brush
with every number cast aside
with every joint that protrudes
asking to be born again.