it does not happen all at once
every time you look the other way
with every concession and every compromise
the cracks grow wider

gradually, inch by inch, you break yourself
fractures you never knew were there
split open your soul
and the Corruption blooms from within

it does not happen all at once
you fall slowly, piece by piece
innocence is gone before you can mourn
shame falls to the wayside soon after

deny it all you wish
cling to your illusions, cry out your defiance
the truth remains the same
you have been falling all along

Penned by my hand on Tisday, the 12th of Ivolnos, in the year 18 AC.