Bound By Chains

this is my oldest surviving piece from grade school... written in my 8th grade year.

Release me,

I say onto you,

ye who owns these chains.

You entrap me in chains,

so when I think of the sun,

I'm consumed by the rains.

Take back your foods, your beasts,

for you leave me little, or impure remains.

You kidnap my children,

you send them to far-away plains.

You decrease their happiness,

but increase their pains.

Release me,

my strained heart screams to you,

master of these chains.

Strip me of them,

so when I reach for the sun,

I can dismiss the rains.

Author's Note

Though I have forgotten their names; I would like to thank the teachers of that era of my life for seeing past the athlete and fighter I was so busy projecting, and noticing a writer who needed some encouraging.

Reviews

[Nicole Williams]

This is utterly heartbreaking,
and for it to be written when you were so young is amazing.
You have a god given talent to spin words into magic.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, for such a humbling compliment. I am coming to appreciate the magic you spin your words into as well, making your gesture, humbling still.

[ron]

Your poem is inspirational. No one should ever be bound to another by chains.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, very much, Ron. Your review is greatly appreciated.

[ron]

It is a dark part of our history. I fear that the world has learned little from it. I would like to write a poem or pro about it but I feel as a white man I have no validation for such an endeavor.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It is a dark history, one far too many have yet to learn from. This subject does not exclusively belong to Black. Slavery was and is... a HUMAN issue. Please, I ask you to give it a try. This is how we change the world. Far too many times, the righteous are drowned out by the wicked. We have to be just as committed to peace and spreading acceptance as they are to spreading the seeds of hate and discontent. So, dear brother, my pen hand invites yours to tell what it needs to on paper.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank God for those teachers. With each of your poems I come to like you writing all the more. And this is a great one.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, coming from a talent I respect and enjoy, your words are a great compliment.

[TL Boehm]

it is wonderful that you had those teachers in your life. They would be proud. This is a wonderful work.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much, they actually were proud of this piece; that I can remember. lol

[Renée]

great teachers are that way..and I am sure every teacher here is touched by your authors note..
and we here are fortunate that you are continuing your craft and sharing these gems from your youth..
though their bodies are silent..their horrific cries are heard in this poem..may they be at peace...

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Yes, great teachers they were. I just wish I could have noticed just how great then. I actually found my first 3 pieces before this one that they encourage me to write also (will post soon). The material means a lot to me, as they are the last of my work that my father read before his passing. He also had a profound impact on my sticking with writing back then. Thank you so much for a truly endearing review of this piece, Renee.

[Renée]

regarding the teachers...You know..that is the important thing ( :
I look forward to reading the works you shared with your Father and I can understand how much those pieces mean to you.. I am sure when you read them, you feel his presence & hear his voice .. I know I say it often..but I do mean it.. always a pleasure to read your work !

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much for reminding me of that... it always means a lot to me, because I know you speak it from a seat of sincerity. The pieces will go up soon, been holding off... he passed away in Nov. this time of year is never good for me.

[A. Smith]

revolutionary piece and it holds deep meaning

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, your words mean a lot, being that this is one of my first pieces when I began writing. I appreciate you leaving me with your thoughts, I will be sure to reciprocate the gesture.

[YoungT]

I like that this poem comes from the heart. It is deep with meaning. Writing is a talent, just like athletic skills and fighting. The ones who have seen more, tend to write more meaningful poetry in my opinion. Those who looked past what you showed and saw you as a writer were the real ones in your life. The outside is nothing until you know the depth of the inside.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

That they were... I was a troubled kid who hid my issues well! They saw a piece of me, that I didn't even see till it was presented to me. In spite of your name, YoungT you seem to be very wise. I look forward to reading your work.

[YoungT]

Aww thank you sweetheart. And I myswlf was a troubled child. Still am, but writing helps us who are troubled. it is a way to get away from everything. You can use your pencil or pen as spaceship leading you anywhere. I take my troubles and let the ink soak them out onto the paper.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Said like a true writer!

[YoungT]

:) thank you

[Great Aunt Astri]

Even the big and the tough can make poetry. I think we have all had chains at some time or other and you describe the feeling so well in your poem.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, your lovely review is much appreciated.

[s y e]

Wow, this is amazing and you were only in Grade 8?

Whew, wow. Amazing piece.

Sorry I have not been reviewing as much, will review more soon!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thanks Noodle, you are too kind. No need to be sorry, take your time really... I'm not going anywhere. ;)

[icelandicblue]

I am taking a graduate course just today and we talked about how if we don't know our students we can't really teach them. A beautiful poem by just a boy. But look what that boy started because the poetry of the man is exquisite.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, I'm beyond humbled by your thoughts.