An Innocence Lost

When innocence is lost,
there is a hole before every step
a crack in every road.
When innocence is lost
you look both ways before crossing.

Tonight riding my bicycle I felt the world becoming to dangerous for the innocents. The illusion of solidarity taking over. Alone balancing on the momentum of my bicycle. Dogs barking behind every fence. Buses striking inches from my face. Lights out, a rock before every turn and a crack in every road. I remember the words of a fifteen year old girl, "I don't believe in God because so many bad things have happened to me." The face of six year old gone numb to the strike of a hand again and again. That hand, that hand so discontented with the world. Alone on my bicycle feeling the innocence of a child loosing.

This is something I had to vote for on my absentee ballot today:
"Standards for confining farm animals. Initiative statue.
Requires that certain farm animals be allowed, for the majority of everyday, to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up and turn around. Limited exceptions apply. Fiscal impact: Potential unknown decrease in state and local tax revenues from farm businesses, possibly in the range of several million dollars annually. Potential minor local and state enforcement and prosecution costs, partly offset by increased fine revenue.
YES
or
NO"
I fear the world to dangerous for the extension of limb.