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

[Coyote Poetry]

Great use of words. You made your point loud and clear. Hard to see the sun when are being rained on with the pain of life. No weakness in the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Coyote your words are both humbling and inspiring.

[TrimarcoRansome]

I enjoyed this poem, the depth of emotion is transparent, i like it that way.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it... you're review is very much appreciated.

[Angi]

Eighth grade? There is no denying it, Travis. You have the stuff. You should look up your old teachers and show them who you are now. Poet. Angi~

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much, Angi. That might be a great idea, I think I'll look into that.

[ANTO]

You had an old head on those young shoulders my brother.
Great work indeed.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thanks, bro... your review means a lot.

[Yellow Butterfly]

Powerful piece coming from such a young mind when this was first written.... your a master at your craft and this is an exceptional write PH....

Your strength of character shines bright throughout all your work... for sure your teachers would be proud..

Brilliant... :O)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Wow. I am truly at a lose for words, I do strive to be a master of this craft. Thank you for those incredible thoughts.

[Rita L. Sev]

Travis, this is an exceptional piece - your emotion and understanding are expressed clearly, a talent for any poet - even more impressive that you were in 8th grade. Your note touched me - It is a reminder for me as this school year begins... there are poets among those awkward pre-teens... Thank you for sharing this.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for such an endearing review. Yes, there are poets among them. lol even the tough ones. haha

[annabellee]

you were already really talented in 8th grade, a very good read and write :)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Anna I most appreciate your humbling review.

[annabellee]

you're most welcome :)

[Frieda P]

Wow impressive for that age, I guess you always had talent poetic heroics, sounds as though you were writing of war and the aftermath or death in this one, deep...nice job.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Frieda the compliment is much appreciated. Can't quite remember what caused me to write this, but it's about slavery... more accurately, my interpretation of the condition of a slave. Wish I could remember what sparked it. Lol

[SyberRose]

an amazing write for an eighth grader for sure...and so nice of you to thank your teachers for noticing your talents...past the athlete...You were ahead of your time Travis...I always loved reading poetry in Jr. High but I don't remember writing it...Rose:)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, fair Rose... I was very much a closet writer back then. I was very careful about who knew I wrote any thing poetic, let alone actual poetry. haha I do owe those few teachers a lot, in regards to my writing. They were the few who saw what no one else had.