Sheltered love - SB

In a world veiled in shadows, we tread, Where souls once vibrant now hang by dread. Like animals in shelters, we're marred and scarred, By cruelty and abuse, left deeply scarred. Like wounded creatures, we cower in fear, Too terrified of love, too scared to draw near. Our hearts, once open, now closed and locked tight, For the pain we experienced in the depths of the night. We were like tender saplings, reaching for the sky, But storms of torment made our spirits run dry. Just like those animals in shelters, we yearn, For a kind touch, a gentle soul, But the memories of past cruelty leave us in a constant patrol. We shrink away from affection, our trust worn thin, Like an animal in a shelter, afraid to let love in. Every word becomes a weapon, slicing through the air, Verbal abuse, a relentless cycle of despair. We bear the scars, both seen and unseen, Just like those animals who know what cruelty means. But deep within our wounded souls, a flicker still resides, A glimmer of hope that slowly, timidly guides. For just like that sheltered animal, we yearn to heal, To find a love that's genuine, once again feel.