Honor's Prison

Head up, into this cage

hands bound, victimless rage

silent rebellion, years too late

quieted passion submits to this fate.

Long waited, shorn from vaulted perch

guilt admitted, caught in hell’s church

gilded links, chained from the light

honor’s sentence, burial without fight

Time passes; cold bars become warm

wings clipped, this cage becomes home.

mind's corners, once sharp become soft

tarnished pride, once held high aloft.

Winter’s grey settles over the soul

reliving joy once upon did it know

condemnation, twilight coming too slow

resignation, offering time for coal.

Years hence dust covers empty prison

out of silence healed spirit has risen.

Shackle's scars in witness are borne

honor's redemption from this soul has been torn.