Leash Poem by Jacqueline Dougherty

Constantly aware,
Constantly observant.
Heart always pounding in fear,
fear of discovery.
Lies and deceit,
a day filled with betrayal,
guilt laden shoulders,
I walk.
Lacking air,
lacking freedom,
I need to exhale.
I need to relax.
What happened?
Where did the fun go?
Freedom, are you alive?
I spend each day trapped.
The chains grow heavy.
My breath shortened
until I'm released.
But, I'm trapped.
I try to break free,
live wildly, be me.
Yet, the leash pulls me back
when I try to escape.
I'm constanly trapped.
Afraid, aware and suffocating.
When can I exhale?