Only 18 but looking 35,

Scars in his brain, bags under his eyes

what has happened to the young man:

old before his time.

A father was hardly known

and always wished ill

a mother very weak

often hated

Peers were unknown

he never really cared

women never wanted:

old before his time.

World big and wide

always scared of

life a torture

ever in fear of

Razor on the sink

getting ever nearer

death was one thing

never in fear of

Only 19 but looking 40

scars on his wrists

what has happened to the young man:

old before his time.

CALDER WOLFE