I can’t bear to consider

I like to think

what they don’t know

can’t hurt them.

But then, I think,

everything can hurt them.

But they don’t know it,

so it doesn’t.

At least, until it does.

But then, again,

I’m not sure they are aware

enough to really be hurt.

All of which I choose to believe,

because I can’t bear to

consider the alternatives.