Whole life dark Whole life empty Whole life ostracised; pushed to the side. Ignored, silenced, shut up, shut out. Shout out, “Mercy” Loud, and louder still, “Mercy” He hears me. He stops. One touch: And light streams, shapes dance, colours burst as shadows fall around, One touch: And life streams, hopes dance, futures burst as failure. Disappointment. Rejection. Isolation. Hate. Poverty. Pain. And darkness fall around. Whole life bright Whole life full Whole life magnified