We live in a prison
A prison of hearts
We've built it ourselves
Right from the start

There's a harlot in the tower
Sentenced by the king
Held captive until the end of days
Even though she wears his ring

With selfish identity
We put up the walls
Built higher and higher
To protect us from falls

The harlot once a maiden
Born pure as fallen snow
Was seduced by life's temptations
Until the king she did not know

At the same time
It blocks from our sight
All that is wonderful
Holy - and right

The king still loved her greatly
And held this truth deep in his heart
That despite the pain and sorrow
Never truely could they part

For in prison you see things
From the inside - out
Longing for the freedom
You believe you're without

The harlot knew this also
And played the king for all she could
Thus, the struggle for power continued
As they both knew always would

We remain in this prison
Until the key we do find
That unlocks the doors
And the chains do unbind

Their lives were bound by divine fate
Never to be undone
At once a blessing and a curse
For in truth the two were one

If we but open our hearts
And our minds we will see
There's really no prison for
Faith, love and humility

With realization comes this truth
That in the heart lies the key
To tear down the walls
And set the spirit -
Free









(two poems combined for MAXIMUM effect)