Chains

Metal
Plastic
Real
Or imagined
These are the things that hold us back
The things that hold us down
Around ankles
Wrists
Neck
Or chest
They contain us
And keep us from gaining ground
They hide our potential and mask their fears
They’re our safety and our burden
A blessing in disguise
They encase our passions and empower our dreams
Lead us to fight
And go for our dreams
Some are put there by us and some put there by them
But they’re still the same
Our enveloping chains.

(Written June 1, 2001)