Chained

Staring down the dark empty halls of loneliness Left devastated, vulnerable and absolutely helpless Will we ever walk out into the light to find happiness My intuition feeds my terrifying pain and agony Don’t mistake these words for please of sympathy I just wish I had the keys to unlock pains misery Do I really need shackles do I really pose a threat I have only begun to be a menace you haven’t been terrorized yet Bolted, held down and not leash free In all my days I never thought that would be me Desolation, gloom, fright, misdoubted and nothing gained Can you believe all these things come from being chained Jailed, caged, incarcerated, and constrained These are some the reasons we can’t maintain Under lock and key in the penitentiary Keeper, Gaoler, warden, guard, and turnkey Those people who can sustain us in captivity Jailbird, convict, inmate, felon, and internee That’s what we are called constantly A sense of relief soon an impossibility Penalized for what they call encroachment When you’re free you no longer can approach me Without uncertainty, fear and anguish Because you were once in fetters and punished One day we will not have to be retained When that day come don’t forget how you were “Chained” A.I.R. September 11, 2003 Inspired by 10,000 Black Men Named George