To the world, a gentle face,
A portrait sweet, of quiet grace.
The neighbors saw an innocent heart,
Unaware of the shadow prepared to start.
Behind closed doors, the velvet fell,
And brought her home a taste of hell.
To stepfamily bonds, a monster born—
Greedy, cold, and sharp as thorn.
She tore at threads of blood and line,
Claiming what was never fine,
Leaving fractures, deep and raw,
A ruthless hand, an unwritten law.
Now bone and breath have turned to dust,
Yet memory holds no peace or trust.
Her shadow stretches long and deep,
A haunting promise she still keeps.
I light a candle in the dark,
Leonaga T.Larena
1995
Bais City Negros Oriental
