Once Poem by Hasan Haskovic

Once
In cold, misty mornings
And kind, well-meaning warnings
I found peace
Not words of wisdom, no, God forbid
But things such as 'Careful on the way to school'
and 'Be proud of what you did'.

Where is it now?
Where has it gone?
Once I was the world
Now, a lowly pawn

Tears stand as words unwritten
Thus, I have said nothing at all
Drenched in hatred does my heart beat
Ready for the call

We all await the end of days
None of us changing our ways
It is descending upon us, without delays
We will be lost, lost in the maze

'Hold my hand while we cross the street, son.'

Nuances of kindness I took for granted
Saw me as the seeds of my evil were already planted

One's sorrows held secret
One's lifetime filled with regret
No time for the release
Else the world is to be smothered between debris

It is who I am
And to amend for it,
I do what I can
Sorry for the mistakes
I shall end where I began

Neither a boy, neither a man