the music plays
my mouth sealed
not my mind
an endless hamster wheel

envious they say
my freedom appealing
enticing
seductive

the endless lonely night terrors
and pin-dropping
silent morning hours,
overlooked

freedom at a price
touch long forgotten
brief reprieve
singular

tears in private
always
no soothers about

and eventually
a heavyweight
eight-hundred pound
should lifts

the world it seems,
concrete
but, remember
freedom

darkened room
touch yourself
quake
breathe, wonder

a monster
you question
anger sets in
veil lifts
they sense it

not easy
never was
sniff elsewhere

bitter *****
they slam
but why?
use me
then what

a pearl at
the neck
she'll not know
suspect, initially
rare
i know

so that
then i'll smile?
i'll spread
myself
opening my
soul
punctuation *******

remind me
the prize
more empty nights
more freedom

expectations
none
safety net
eggshell soul

barbed-wire heart
internal bleed
oozing cut
dripping trail

razor-blade smile,
nod of the head
yes, freedom
it's wonderful