Shackles

A poem

I found you there, in fetters
A cloth covering your eyes
The cell you were shackled in scarcely
The span of two strides

Inside, you were gentle, lovely
Troubled, in silent strain
I was witness to your woes
And hurt to see your pain

Gracile was your form
Fierce your aspect, and fair
Your lips, ripe rosebuds
In silken falls, your brown hair

I moved to unclasp your wrists
And lift the veil from your eyes
The chains that held you here
Prevented your rise

As you stood to regard me
From my wrists my shackles fell
You knew then we both had been
Prisoners in the same cell