Forever shackled by these chains,
I wallow in their lies.
They tie me to my fears and hate,
And all that I despise.
I see my friends across the road,
But my shackles hold me back.
"They have looks and wit," they say.
Everything you lack.
The birds and clouds glide in joy,
Dancing across the sky.
But my chains tie me to the ground.
Shackled tears I cry.
Another mountain lies before me,
A new challenge I must try.
"Don't fool yourself, you'll never succeed."
My shackles tell no lie.
I stare into the lonely mirror.
Blinded to my perfection.
I see nothing but a broken soul.
Shackled to its reflection.
I hug my knees and cry for someone
Who understands my pain.
As expected; no reply,
But the rapping of the rain.
My only rest I find at night,
After the death of day.
And with cold and burning steel
I cut my life away.
This is all I'll ever be worth.
Dig deeper, until I'm dead...
My shackles laugh. They have won.
My arm...its crying red.
But one bright day I realise,
It's myself I've been trying to find.
These oppressive and evil shackles
Live only in my mind.
My shackles return, fighting back,
Fearing what I now see.
Foolish things, they'll never understand,
I will always be free.
Because I am the Sun,
Raining down my light.
I am a myth,
A whisper in the night.
I am the sky,
Serenity's haven.
I am a mountain,
The silent warden.
I am the earth,
Life's verdant source.
I am the wind,
The unstoppable force.
I am the sea,
Caressing the shore.
I am the storm,
The legendary Roar!
These lying shackles,
Bind me no more!
I am a leaf on the wind!
Watch how I soar.
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Those last two lines, "I am a leaf on the wind, watch how i soar" was the mantra of one of my favourite characters, Horace Washburn from Firefly/Serenity. It was his was of finding peace in the understanding that it was very likely he would die.
This poem was about self confidence. I have a friend who has little self confidence. I wrote it for them, to try and make them feel better. I wanted to show them they can live life completely fearless of what everyone thinks. To live life like a leaf on the wind. The shackles represent that little voice in the back of your head that tells you "you can't do it" or "you're worthless". Break free from it. It cannot control you and it cannot harm you. It's your head, you're in control.
The original meaning of this poem, was of course, to promote self confidence. But not only that. I also mention self harm in this poem. If you do, please don't. You are worth far more than that. Everytime you cut yourself, you're only hating your self more and more. You don't deserve to have that kind of punishment. No-one does.
I don't know who you are. You could be of any gender, or race. I don't care. You are my friend. You are brilliant. You are a leaf on the wind.
Peace guys :P
