metaphorically literal

i'm bored. i want you (without using any caps at all) to write one simple poem. not hard is it? no, of course not. why else are you on this site, if you don't write?

anyway...your poem must relate (clearly) to one of the following quotes.

quote one: "the loss of innocence is not just about the death of children, but the slaughter of infants"
quote two: "even if the shell is perfect, the pearl inside can be damaged"

both quotes are mine, so give them credit to me... you didn't have them pop into your head, i did.

rules:
1. center align
2. no caps
3. put quote in author's notes
4. reply to comments...its just polite...
5. center align
6. any background
7. no novels
8. no prose
9. center align
10. go for gold
11. nothing that will bore me
12. marry spell check
13. center align
14. do not convert me
15. make sure you realize i'm happy being atheist
16. bash no one
17. center align

am i making my point? any rule breaking will result in you waving byebye to the contest.

don't bother asking about prewrites; after my last contest, i refuse to accept them ever again.

have fun, and push yourself if you're not used to writing like this.

you can enter as many times as you like.

shadow.