The Shackles

The world shines a little brighter

Without the shackles of you on my wrists.

Waking up is a little easier

With the freedom of living without your grip.

Because you loved me

I couldn’t leave the prison cell of my room,

Because you loved me

I was subjected to a vow of silence,

Because you loved me

It wasn’t enough to give you my mind and my soul,

But also my body.

My wrists will forever be scarred

But have never felt better than they do today.

My body is in tatters

But for the first time, it feels true love.

I do not need you.

I do not need you.

Because you loved me

I was yours,

Because you loved me,

I was property.

But there was a lesson,

One I could only ever teach myself.

The only true love I need

Is the love of myself.

Because I love me,

I can truly be happy again.

Because I love me,

I can heal in peace.

Because I love me,

I can accept that I am enough.

Because I love me,

I now understand what love is.