Chains That Bind

Chains That Bind

He struggled against the ties that held him to the ground
No matter how hard he tried, he was always bound
His arms were held fast by ribbons of steel
His legs were tied to anchors, from an old ships wheel

The more he fought, the tighter the binds became
Until he gave up fighting, and lay as if in shame
His eyes filled with tears, as he thought about his plight
He felt worthless, almost useless; and wanted to fade from sight

She fought against her chains, but they held her tight
In her marriage she’d known freedom, had never felt the bite,
Of chains, ropes, or shackles, nor ties of any kind
Being bound as she was, she was about to lose her mind

Throughout her life she’d sworn, she’d never be a slave,
Life was meant to live freely, not held here like a knave
But now she couldn’t move a muscle, without being bound more tight
Her eyes welled with tears knowing she was losing the fight

I saw them both struggle against their imaginary ties
I saw they were living, a life so full of lies
Neither was held by bonds in any sort of way,
The bonds that held them tight, they lived with every day

He was held by fear, of living life alone,
Just couldn’t stand the thought, of an empty home
He wanted to take a wife, and live a happy life
But he couldn’t take that step, and end his awful strife

She too was held by fear, though of a different kind
She never wanted him to leave, she’d found ties that bind
But left he had, which had broken her heart,
And now she felt so alone, so torn apart

I whispered softly in their ears, of love strong enough to defy
This sham life they lived, and how to end their terrible lies
I whispered of the treasure that a love like this would know
And how each would be free, if only they’d let love show

Suddenly his bonds broke, he felt his arms raise!
As if the bonds had never been, all these past hundred days
She felt her bonds disappear without a trace,
She couldn’t believe the smile, that quickly crossed her face

He turned around quickly, and saw her standing there
He knew that he knew her, but he could not tell from where
She gasped on seeing him standing so tall and proud
And found herself saying “I Love You” out loud

Their bonds now gone, this spirit moved on by,
Looking to find others living similar lies
This I happily do without any regrets,
For I had lived like that, and lost all my bets

Jim Dorrell
9/16/08