I Locked Myself Here

Choking, struggling, against the chain wrapped around my chest. Huge lock and shifting mockingly against my skin. Laughing as I struggled harder and harder to break free. When did they get here? That night? That night. The night I let you in to my mind, my heart, and my body. You had your way, then walked away. And I lay motionless, chained to the bed from which I have not since moved. Here, 6 years later I continue to struggle, struggle against the damned chain. That for 6 years has constricted each breath, each hint of a smile, each inkling of joy. In vain many pulled and yanked and tore at the lock, at the chain. But I would not budge. I begged, pleaded, and prayed you would bring the key, set me free. And finally, after 6 years I realized my right hand, sweaty and tender hurt as though something was cutting into my palm. I looked down and opened the offending hand. There lay the key.