Bound and shackled, I suffered.
Even small adjustments were impossible.
My life consisted only of confinement.

My hands were bound by neglect stronger than I could fight.
The chains at my feet were made with links strengthened by hate.
My mouth was gagged with lies of worthlessness.

Blinded by fears and doubts I decided:
My life, full of suffering, was not one I wanted to live.
I pulled and fought my restraints until I bled.

Crumpled on the ground I knew it was time.
It was time to end my confined suffering.
I would rather face death than the pain of life.

With a new resolve settled the door to my cell opened.
In walked a man that did not cause me to react in fear.
He sat next to me, in the dirt and filth, and said nothing.

We sat for hours, days, years.
He still said nothing.
He held my hand.

The man smiled. “Why are you here?”
The question angered me, could he not see the chains?
I turned from him; not wanting to hear more.

He continued to speak of a man that was not just a man.
As I sat in the grime he spoke of a father that loved me.
And a son that died.

I rolled my eyes and laughed.
My new friend was clearly insane.
No one could love me.

As he continued my bruises slowly began to fade.
I would not believe these lies he told.
I knew I was worthless.

My cuts healed and I continued to refuse his words.
He turned to me sorrowfully.
“I’ve done all that I can do.”

He continued to sit but said nothing.
He stayed by my side and said nothing.
He cried and said nothing.

My cell opened once again and words were spoken.
“Will you let me help you?”
This did not come from my new friend.

“Let me help you?”
I quietly wept.
“I can help you!”

Over and over again I was pleaded with.
This stranger kept asking to help me.
He wept and asked again.

I whimpered and tugged at my constraints.
I wanted to speak but was unable.
My heart yearned to accept his offer.

My new friend smiled at me in excitement.
“You can leave.”
I looked at my wrists in amazement.

The bindings on my hands turned to dust and blew away.
The chains on my ankles shattered and faded.
My mouth was clear to speak.

The stranger grabbed my hands and helped me up.
“Come to me and I will give you rest.”
I was free.