They took it away from a child, 
robbed him 
with bare hands, with weapons, with words, 
with hate, 
with greed borne from fear.

They ripped it away from him, 
a child, 
who smiled, and danced, and imagined, 
and dared, 
who played with colour.

They did not wait
for a dark night,
for when no-one was around,
for when they could have escaped
without a trace of guilt.

They came
with no need to be cautious
Brazenly, convinced in their ignorance
Blatantly, shamelessly, desperately,
rescuing their deceived pride.

They came
They paraded their crime
and left him,
where everyone saw and everyone knew
but no-one was there.

And so it never happened
He still lives in their cage with the open gate
where he was fed and given water to drink,
where he is still expected to be grateful.

by Merlin Ince