Thinking you have won, <br />You laugh and say your terror has only begun. <br />I am tortured, hanging by chains, <br />You say you wish to inflict upon me a thousand pains. <br />I hear the cries of those I cherish, <br />Not wanting to cry, not wanting to perish. <br />Half has given up, what of the other half of me? <br />The other half still pushes on, <br />And will not relent until injustice is gone. <br />These chains only strengthen me. <br /> <br />Thinking you will win, <br />You become giddy as your new rein will begin. <br />Gloating while others cry, <br />You smile at my chains as I try, <br />To break away, struggling through, <br />You snicker at my sweat and face black and blue. <br />I'm too tired to keep trying so I stop, <br />So exhausted, I only hang and drop. <br />In pain I close my eyes, <br />Nearly come to tears as I hear their cries. <br />You chuckle as I try to break free. <br />These chains only strengthen me. <br /> <br />In my wave of anger I see all, <br />All who cry out, who do not wish to fall. <br />My eyes are set afire. <br />You, you are arrogance, suffering, cruelness, hatred, and desire. <br />You, who have brought many down, <br />Only stepped on others so you may receive the crown. <br />These chains only strengthen me. <br /> <br />Pulling, urging with all Life's might, <br />I see fear inside your cold, dim light. <br />My fire has burned and you are in the way. <br />Your face is no longer joyful and gay. <br />For now you see, I have broken free, <br />I say, "Let us see what tortures you have for me." <br />You scream for me to be bound strictly. <br />I smile seeing that your face is sickly. <br />Warning you not to bind me, <br />I whisper, "Fool, these chains only strengthen me."<br /><br />Hannah Bryson Price<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/these-chains-4/
