Not a prison of concrete and steel,
but rather confined behind bars
of bone and sinew,
In a body she barely recognizes.

The bars that hold her bound
Are nearly as strong as iron,
Making her every move
Extremely difficult and painful.

No longer able to walk
or even stand on her own,
Her legs and feet bent—
Frail, deformed and useless.

Once fiercely independent,
Now she depends on loving hands
To do the simple daily things
She longs to do for herself.

There is no warden there,
And there are no guards—
Only we who love her,
Caring for her day by day.

Visiting hours are limitless:
Anyone is welcome at any time.
She will gladly greet you
With a bright, cheerful smile.

But don’t be deceived
By that brave, gentle facade;
That masks her weariness,
Her endless frustration, and pain.

The judge holding her fate
Is merciful and just.
When her sentence is through
He will restore her, whole and new.

Refined by the trial of her earthly lot,
A mansion awaits her on high—
A home she has proven herself to receive
Where she will suffer no more, forever free.