we went in
and it wasn't too frightening
because we were all in it
so I didn't even notice
the lions

we went in
laughing
sometimes
crying

I thought this was paradise

I took it for granted

I thought I deserved
some
happiness
I thought I had
happiness -
others said I was naive
and inexperienced -
I laughed at what I thought
petty

and then
they
disappeared

everybody

gone

and I saw the lions for the first time
I saw the lions I saw the lions for the first time it hit me it bludgeoned me it hammered destroyed me

I looked around me
and asked
doesn't anybody care?
but there was no audience
and there was no judge

there was me
and the lions devouring
me