Shackled II

Bare foot lay sideways, cold against the floor

My right shoe; shackles where there were laces.

My hands reached out, begging to find the key

Searching the dark room, a needle in hay.

My hurt and fears bound to my bounded foot

My tears and hopes held by encrusted chains.

Crying, nothing but an echoing voice

Looped circles; a deathly merry go round.

The key could hear, I could feel its presence

Calling out.. mockingly?  It must be near!

My bonds kept me from earning salvation

How does one move forward, while in the past?

A twist of metal!  As one link gave way

As if unseen forces, recognized pain.

My reach was the same, though my spirit rose

I understood, what was needed of me.

My path had been rough, so I donned a mask

Locking out all the world and all its joys.

I now lay shackled to what I’ve become

Captive to the world of my own making.

I was kept in isolation by force

A masked shadow cooed and held my hand.

Now I knew what I should have known before

One must move forward, and unchain the past.

The shackle gave way;  the chain turned to dust

I remained seated on the ice cold slab.

I was free to go on, living in dark
Or give up my bonds, my mask, and my fears.