I stare beyond the chain-link fence
And shiver, as in biting rain
A simple sight, swift remembrance
That floods the echoes full of pain.

When I was young, the world was vast
The flower of my youth not past
I'd freely talk with passers-by
Or gaze up, laughing, at the sky
To see the myriad shades of blue.
The mornings then were always new
I walked alone, I stayed apart
But I had not walled up my heart
And it was open, free to use
By all, to with as they'd choose.

And all too soon, a lesson hard
Was lain upon a soul unbarred
As clever fingers full of greed
Would use me when they had the need
Of a strong shield against the foe.
They did not feel the hurt and woe
As lashing worlds inflicted scars
That blocked my view of shining stars.

Of ruins, I forged a new soul
An icy heart, an iron whole
I bade farewell to childish dreams
And tears that flowed in endless streams.
I was a maiden made of frost
From all I'd learned, from all I'd lost.
No longer was my heart unbarred
I kept close watch, I set a guard
And all the pain I'd ever cried
I locked away, deep down inside.

A lesson burned into the bone -
I walked apart, I stood alone.