Innocence

Jonathon Mattson

I don't exist.

You're going to say, "What? Of course you do!" But I don't.

I am rarely summoned, and when I am it's never for long and it's never completely - and never by my purpose. Fear comes when one is supposed to be afraid. When I am called, it's always a lie or a half truth.

"Your honor, I didn't do it," they whine.

I roll my eyes and think to myself, "Only because you were busy doing something else horrible."

Even those who are supposed to be shining beacons of me are really rotten to the core. Children are the worst: they lie, steal and hurt and it's because they don't know any better. I am taught to everyone from their youngest age and they still never fully grasp the concept. They still lie, cheat and hurt; they just justify it better to themselves.

"I will pay them back for it."

"I deserve it."

"They had it coming."

"They owe me one."

"It's not my fault they didn't read the fine print."

"I didn't mean to hurt you."

My color is my enemy