Runaway Slave

A poem about my addiction and how I tried to save myself but eventually it took God to save me.

I am a runaway slave.
I have escaped from my former master.
I am on my way to freedom.

The devil is pursuing me.
Seeking to destroy me.
Wanting to put me back in chains.

My former master is my addiction.
It wants nothing more than to have me back.
Back in its chains.

For a long time I tried to escape on my own.
Freedom felt good while it lasted.
But soon I was caught and once again chained down.

I was ready to give up.
To face the fact that I would never truly be free.
I would always be a prisoner.

I had heard a story.
Of a man who could set slaves free.
But who would help a man like me?

But that man heard my cries.
And he came to where I was that night.

He saw me lying in my shame.
With heavy chains around my neck.
And a broken heart inside my chest.

I cried out to him.
Begging him for help.
And he broke those chains that had held me down for so long.

"Go now." he said.
"And sin no more."
"The price for your freedom has been paid."

Reviews

[max_vonnegut]

This was so good to read man. The concept of the devil as your former master is great. Thanks for sharing.
I love that the poem is a hopeful message!

[Erik Daniel]

Thanks man!

[Madison O'Dwyer]

I love this.
The power of God's mercy, and love is so clearly displayed in your last stanza -
"Go now." he said.
"And sin no more."
"The price for your freedom has been paid." - Simply beautiful.

Coming from a home plagued by addiction, I truly respect both your honesty, and your bravery. I hope those chains bind you no more.

[Erik Daniel]

Wow. Thank you so much!

[A. Amos]

Eric you are highly talented my friend, this another epic write...

[Erik Daniel]

Wow. This means a lot! Thank you so much!

[Tarella]

The constant battle against sin and Christ's sympathy on an imprisoned soul.....Freedom is only enjoyed in the presence of God because when we try to get our way all the time,doing whatever we want,the devil takes advantage of it and chains us down...Thank God for the finished work of Christ on the Cross who set us free from absolutely everything...our old lives were nailed on the cross with Him...:-)...this poem passes a really beautiful message.

[Erik Daniel]

Thank you!

[Linda alexander]

Great write, beauty in the eyes of the beholder, so your poem will be welcoming and soothing to many readers, so proud of you with your inspirational approach, at times even plain writing can make reader to think in the different perspective and it is true with any piece of writing, if your poem can inspire one reader, you are a full success, enjoyed poem

[Erik Daniel]

Thank you!

[Linda alexander]

You most welcome, keep writing

[Stefanie Holmes]

A poem filled with hope and truth... wonderful! Everyone out there has some form of addiction, whether it be as potent as drugs and alcohol or something more subtle as shopping or music. We all have something in our lives that can completely take over our lives and when we try to get away it will try its very best to come back at us.
This was very well done Erik! I liked this poem.

~Stefanie

[Erik Daniel]

Thank you so much!

[RichGee]

Amen brother....how many of us remain as chained down slaves to our vices...
There is indeed hope...yes there is.... Nice Erik

[Erik Daniel]

Thank you!

[KWP]

Raw and honest ... this is life ... !!!

I like it very much, I guess throughout life we all have our tests that we somehow manage to give ourselves, I relate to this metaphor very easily.

My own personal opinion for the sec on last line 'And sin no more' was it really a sin that had been committed? Or was it just a lesson in life that offered up the courage for it to be passed through? Walking through our hard times makes us stronger and teaches us things we never would have known about ourselves if we had not found ourselves there in the first place... no ... i don't think it was a sin ... just my thought ..

i love the honesty of thought within your words .. well done xx

[Erik Daniel]

Thank you! I guess i was going by addiction to me is a sin. And he was held down by the burden of his sin and Jesus freed him from it. Like the woman at the well, go and sin no more. If ya get what I mean.

[KWP]

yes I understand where you are coming from, I guess you also need to know your audience... for example I am not a Catholic but at the very heart of that religion I can see the truth's ... like most religions.. I also think that my god would never view any of us as sinners as he has an open heart and can understand the full picture without prejudice... but if you are aiming the poem at a certain group it could fit very well ...

I think once you develop a handle on your metaphors you will be able to speak the language without using the words if you know what I mean ... I have always found this the hardest part of writing poetry ... in any case .. I really like your rawness, honesty and I love the fact that you are a warrior hoping that your words may help others .. great stuff indeed xx

[Ren Grace]

This speaks to me on a very personal level even though our addictions most likely differ. Thank you for this it gives me hope.

[Erik Daniel]

Wow. You're welcome! Even if they do differ if you ever need to talk I'm a message away!

[Ren Grace]

Thanks that means so much :)

[Erik Daniel]

:) Of course. That is actually why I put my writing on here in the first place is to try to help others and share God's love. Check out my poems Suicidium, Three Words, and My Addiction and you can get a glimpse of my past.

[Ren Grace]

I will when I get the chance :) Thank you!

[Erik Daniel]

Yeah! You're welcome!