Another Bar Poem by Mary Champion

It's another bar on my prison cell,
Just another chain to control me well.
And every time you give to me
I'm one step more from liberty.
I could refuse, but if I try,
You get so hurt and start to cry.
Imprisoned by your pleading tears
I'm shackled by my helpless fears.
And every time you're kind to me
I'm one step more from being free.
Each generous act, each helping hand -
You mean them well, but understand -
It's another bar on my prison cell,
Just another chain to control me well.

And every time I don't refuse
I'm left with even less to lose.
But I can't say no, for if I do
I know that I'll be hurting you.
I wish that sometimes you could see
What your insistence does to me.
It's another bar on my prison cell;
Just another lock on the gates of hell.

I could refuse, but when I try,
You look so hurt and start to cry.
Inhibited by pleading tears
I try to understand your fears.
But every time you're kind to me
I'm one step more from liberty.
Each generous act, each helping hand -
You mean them well, but understand -
It's another bar on my prison cell,
Just another chain to control me well.
Just another bar on my prison cell,
Just another lock on the gates of hell.