Innocence

It doesn’t end

with the snap of a gavel

No jangle of keys

to take off the cuffs

Perhaps a crime in itself

In a world where

Every day you strive to survive,

Looking over your shoulder

For the blade aimed

between your shoulder blades

A crappy game
where most days

The dice come up snake eyes

Or sevens and elevens

When you need

To make a point

Can’t be innocent here

Of your get run over, run down

Or used up,

Can’t play dumb either

Or someone marks

you as a narc

You either wise up

and learn the rules

And play this game to win

Or you always lose