The Death of Man

Oh sheltered little one
your eyes have never seen
innocent and loving
your pure idyllic dream
I love the way you smile
but I hate the way you are
I've seen others suffer
just as sweet once as you are

your path will never falter
your wants never requited
you'll look on us with compassion
with compassion you've required

you think that all can end up well
I know the fates aren't fickle
your good fortune flows forever
our fortunes but a trickle

No ill will I wish on you
contrare, I wish to keep
your innocent and loving eyes
the ease with which you sleep

but others too deserve such grace
others small and pure
why are they left rotting
while your heart remains whole?

at the end of it I know the answer
it remains the same through time
what's loved and lost we can't control
unpreventable loss and crime

some will escape
with turn and change
the misery we've known
our ever present cage

the world it seems that's how it is
I'm not supposed to ask
for wise and sage advice is given
you cannot change the past

but no matter what you tell me
I'll never understand
I'll never lose my aching for
the innocence they had

so gentle, precious sparrow
I'll protect you if I can
I know the hurt of many
the pain and death of man.