Turning Shackles Into Bracelets
by Ardanna Kelvar

Again that lens of doubt covers my eyes,
That awful kaleidoscope,
Showing my heart its cruel lies
It shows me the world – with little hope.

Too much weight my shoulders hold,
Shackled in my own confusion
My once strong spirit begins to fold,
My inner strength a mere delusion.

Too proud to call out for help,
Not even knowing for what to ask,
Whimpering instead like a pathetic whelp,
So instead I put on my best happy mask.

I grow weary waiting for cruel fate,
To roll those dreadful dice,
I look at my burdens with a fiery hate,
I curse myself, one, twice, thrice…

With snarling lip I look about,
Helping hands I gracefully decline,
False assurances my mouth does spout,
No, the burden is all mine.

Until much later a friend gets near,
And somehow lowers that dreadful lens,
I look at this world – so fresh, so clear,
My dirty soul, I start to cleanse.

All those burdens still remain,
But heart, mind, and soul begin revival,
I smile - my world shall not be the same,
I go forward and live now – instead of just survival.

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