Rachel Henley (1st October 1994 / Wales)

I used to be innocent,
I used to be kind,
I used to be many good things,
until the passage of time.

I found love in the gutter,
I found my friends in dark places
I found many bad things,
when I came across familiar faces.

I have no warmth,
no vibrance,
I changed so much,
I fell victim to life, the tyrant.

Life shaped me to expect the worst,
at least, that way,
I can prepare for the evident hurt.