Humanity

As supposed morally perfect humans
We detest the idea of irrational 
Four letter words. 
We avoid saying them around
Children, covering their ears
Tell them to hum lullabies 
Think happy thoughts
Anything to delay their minds from understanding 
And yet
The most terrible four letter word of all
Is blatantly thrown about inside their heads
Love. 
I love you. 
I love my job. 
I love my life. 
I love my family. 
Love. 
It’s spoken so carelessly
No wonder most of it falls apart
So easily. 
It’s an empty promise
Used to stem the ebb
Of pain brought about 
By this society. 
It’s two fingers crossed
Behind your back,
A kindergartens way
Of saying
“I’m lying.”
It’s filling those children with so much pain
And confusion
That soon enough “Love”
Could be just a lipstick thin line 
Buried under a long sleeved sweater
In winter time. 
Love is turning into
Just another four letter word 
That somehow snuck past
Humanities idea
Of protection.