This world is cold,

So harsh and cruel.

It takes the minds of children,

With time yet to grow.

It fixes their brains,

Completely rewires them.

It scrambles their thoughts

And changes their looks.

It checks the tears that used to flow so rarely,

And turns them into pouring rain.

We live in a world so cold,

Some count the days.

One more, they say,

Just one more.

But we've all heard that lie once before.

One more turns into two

And two to three

And three to four.

It's just a scratch, she says,

Oh, don't worry about it,

It was just the cat.

But look into their eyes

See the brokenness that presides.

Watch them lose their luster,

Or intervene

On those cold nights

When pills are in hand

And guns are being sought.

When a rope is being tied,

Don't stand and stare.

Changing the world is quite impossible;

But saving someone

From their own darkness

Is quite not.

They need warmth,

And a strong, steadying hand

To take away the coldness

That lies within.