Midnight Poem by Joyce Rugg

when you're young you believe every fairytale      
you view the world through a gently blurring veil
it is paradise, a lovely, peaceful place.
As you get older, you see the horrors you face      
shadows form at the edges of your sight
all too soon darkness smothers the light
you long for the days of carefree bliss.
why must you trade princes for this?
you dream of a happily ever after.
instead, you meet only ruin and disaster
the shining illusion goes up in flame;
leaving no joy, only self-hatred and bitter shame
you emerge from the fire, your gown ragged, crumbling, black
and realize your old life is gone, there's no turning back
that innocent child is murdered, long dead
leaving a broken shell to face the terror ahead