I live in a dark corrupt world
hiding from the ones I love.
I hear their shouts as they search for me
but even I don’t know where I am.
Anger burns from their eyes
though confused by my actions.
They tell me I can’t keep living like this
and I don’t want to.

I feel as though I’m wrapped
in heavy chains bolted to the floor—
free will now a lost concept.
Why can’t I break free with these pliers?
My fingers strain to fold around their handles,
struggle to force them apart.
I drive them toward the metal with all my might.

But my fingers let go and they drop to the floor—
all optimism shattered.

I have lost all control,
a puppet struggling to create my own actions.
A knife is attached to my hand,
and with my final breath
I plunge the sharp blade into my abdomen.
My body falls numbly to the ground,
No longer can strings dictate my decisions.
I am free.