Shackles of Love

 Shackles of Love

I walk a road they’ve paved for me,
Every step bound by what they see.
A daughter, obedient, quiet, and kind,
Yet my dreams are shackled, confined.

I wear no masks, I hide no truth,
I honor them with all my youth.
I speak no lies, I play no games,
Yet somehow, I’m the one they blame.

Their words, like arrows, pierce my heart,
A constant sting that tears apart.
They see rebellion where none exists,
A shadow of freedom, clutched in fists.

I love them still, with every scar,

Yet the distance between us feels so far.
Each "no" they speak, each scolding glare,
Leaves me gasping for a breath of air.

I try to explain, to make them see,
That I’m not reckless—I just want to be free.
To meet the world, to spread my wings,
To savor the joy that living brings.

But they don’t hear, they turn away,
Bound by fears they cannot say.
They think the world is cruel and wild,
And so they cage their trusting child.

I’m no stranger to their pain,
I know their love comes wrapped in chain.
But love should lift, not weigh me down,
Not turn my laughter into a frown.

Each step I take feels like a fight,
For even the smallest taste of light.
To sit with friends, to laugh, to roam,
To build a life I call my own.

I’m no rebel, no storm in disguise,
Just a girl with dreams behind her eyes.
I’m tired of the weight, the constant strife,
Of living a borrowed, muted life.

But even through tears, I find my voice,
A quiet strength, a steady choice.
To rise each day, to prove my worth,
To claim my place upon this earth.

For one day, they’ll see the light in me,
The strength, the love, the destiny.
And I’ll hold no grudge, I’ll show no hate,
For love, I know, can heal our fate.

-WonderOlyf