Torn

Here I've lived for longest time
In the recess of my mind,
All with hope and fun and glee
With my life ahead of me.

Then came school and fun and games
And staying inside when it rained,
With friends all over, none to fear,
And adults always standing near.

But then it came--the trial time,
They all did leave; my heart did pine;
Alas, it would not be so--
I would have to go alone.

Long I wandered, long I strayed,
Everywhere my soul seemed frayed;
No one knew and no one said
No one knew I felt it dead.

Then I wished to end it all
And bash against these dungeon walls;
But I guess it was not to be--
For good or bad, I guess we'd see.

When one day I saw the Light,
I needed not the fear nor fright,
For He came and guided me,
Out of death and misery.

And since that time I've been apart,
'Tis what seems wanted my heart,
To be alone and in these chains
That until now came with no pain.

Now here you come, stand before me
And over this thine shadow be
With a way out seen clearly
E'en with the chains beholden me.

I just can't make up my mind,
So far they've stood the test of time,
But I don't know which way to go
Yet knuckles hold them, white as snow.

Still you stand there over me,
Waiting, oh, so patiently,
For my mind to look and see
But still it wants alone to be.

So do I stay or take the key?