The Broken Compass

As she hung by the sea wall,

with her neck in a rope

a ship passed her by

and she cast a last hope

to be free once again

from adamantine chains

a woman who can love,

without being constrained

from the bondage of distrust

of her Taskmaster's game -

of unbridled lust

with others in shame.

A sailor near shore

freed her from the noose

and took her aboard

to let her now choose.

Which way she would sail?

Forward or back?

To a land of new freedom?

or her Taskmaster's shack?

She chose the latter

and a life without dreams.

Her vessel, in tatters,

was anchored by screams.