Into the light

These words, never heard, never spoken aloud, never sung, only written Only understood by those who are struggling to keep their dreams alive Those who have one arm chained to the ground, the other free and reaching Their doors and windows slammed shut But when opportunity comes, a bit of light peeks through And again, one arm is chained, the other free and reaching I live and write to express my determination, as well as the determination of others Those whose lips are taped with the constraints of society Strained by the dollars we do not have Burdened by expectations and status For those whose arms are tired, and whose wrists are bruised from trying to break free To be in the light is their goal as well as mine Away from darkness Where the sun shines And where people recognize them for who they are and what they’ve overcome For the values they have kept Away from darkness the chains loosen I am now able to express myself The words that I’ve kept in my now empty drawer I am no longer scared of judgment I no longer blame myself for the things that have happened I know I am a good person I can now speak of my life The life that remained hidden, a life that was misinterpreted as perfect A life where a home was never permanent, and almost lost A family separated, but coming together A life in which addiction was a curse Where safety was compromised And where many tears were shed Where things were broken and thrown My chains no longer burden me I am free I have begun my journey into the light Where I hope many will follow