The Girl I knew

I knew a young girl

Who was scared inside

To look beyond

Her sheltered eyes

To see beyond protective gear.

To see what life held without fear.

She knew a young boy

Who played pretend,

Smoked cigarettes

And lied in bed

With persons unknown.

He knew a man

With Aids

Who did the same.

Who drank and sang

And danced without fear

Until his end.

The dead man knew a woman

Who he infected.

For just an hour they were acquainted.

She had a daughter

She wanted to protect

But in the end

Death had taken,

That young girl I knew.