sharp glass sinks into the palm of my hand,
as I clean up the mess made by someone else.
my skin leaks cherry-colored blood,
but they've turned away since I'm here to help.

I'm a bird tied to a chain, fluttering, but trapped.
I think I forged the iron around my ankle myself.
I smile until my teeth break against each other,
and I continue after they've all fallen out. 

I hold the keys to the iron bars I hide behind,
but I beg for others to let me out of my cell.
they hold my head under water, after I jumped in,
they ask if I'm fine, and my air bubbles say I'm well.