Bonds

I was raised in a prison of darkness

along walls of cement have I groped

the hearts here deep scarred and callous

no dreams of a child had I hoped

 

Starved for affection and famished

though surrounded by people alone

sixty four rooms I could roam in

but that place was never a home

 

Just one more workhouse to live in

my duties to serve and to clean

no pay for the labor was given

I was to work and be not seen

 

I could go days with seeing no parents

went to school and to work and to bed

my breakfast was in my room coffee

the feral cat entertained in the shed

 

This building has so many toilets

even the master one I must clean

I drop like a stone in my bed at night

I sleep so deeply to dead to dream

 

Though I live now this place with my father

it's no different than with strangers I slept

they too used me like a work horse

their houses the places I kept

 

Somewhere was lost to me childhood

not a human soul I could trust

I do not know love it is fiction

as into this life I was thrust

 

There were times I wished mother successful

where in the peace of death I would sleep

the pain of knowing I'm unwanted

was to much for this child to keep

 

I suppose it's this very reason

I recognize the true face of Love

the nigh hundred people I lived with

qualify not of that place to be of

 

I've been exposed to violence on children

and all their secrets I can confide

recognize the damage it does you

and those who these secrets do hide

 

It is easy to remain lost here

where no true tracks be seen on your road

where life has not direction or guidance

and one is broken by the weight of its load

 

But there are so many rooms in this prison

and each every one has its own trap

the master of death who has forged them

place these obstacles in every path

 

So while your searching for life and its answers

the only one worthy to steadfastly teach

should exist every day in your dealings

and your connections from greatest to least

 

I'll not care about the labor I give you

as long as love my load is light

we will share in living together

in our unity we can delight

 

I learned to take care of your body

but it takes two for the care of the soul

I could live alone here without you

but it's the sharing that makes us whole...

 

COPYRIGHT © 2012 C. Michael Miller

via Duboff Law Group LLC