Shattered

All seven children
he took their lives
she said nothing
they were broken

Broken lives take time
to heal
the wounds are still open
the abuse, oppressive poverty
they were never loved

Love had no place
in their home
those children needed love
love never showed
at the door

The door was always open
open to strangers
strange things
hunger visited, often
innocence was lost

Their lives had been shattered
by a single white blow
their broken hearts yearn
for life, lost
rebirth is slow and painful