Shackle and Chain

Around my ankle
is a thick grey metal collar. Protruding
from it like a tail is a chain snake. This is
responsibility, restraining me like a
leash does a dog, throttling the robust
brute of volition, smothering the
luminous beacon of hope. A conflagration of
longing for liberation consumes my soul,
its brightness blinding my eyes
to all else. Thus, I struggle towards
the key, the way to become free.