Grey stone worn thin
by the thousands who've
walked upon it.
Innocent children,
Unaware of the hurt they inflict.
Adolescents,
in all their subconscious sadism,
damaging a-purpose.
Apologetic adults,
guilt nibbling at the edges of their beings,
though always pushed away
by the knowledge of necessity.

Grey stone worn thin -
wordless shout emitting from every crack,
soundless scream of pain at each step,
enduring,
forever enduring,
with no will or way to end the suffering.
Comfort comes from one source only -
the familiarity of the pain.