These Chains Are All Your Own by Songmistress
“Will you die and never know what it’s like outside?”
I put a lot of time and a huge amount of effort into this piece. More than that, I put my heart into it. It was inspired by the Marillion song These Chains which I encourage you to listen to.
It is also quite an autobiographical visual, which illustrates how I am the only one who holds myself back, and the only one who will miss out on what’s out there because I do… because the chains are comfortable, safe and warm, the cage is the known thing and “out there” is the unknown and frightening.
Listen to the song. Look hard at the image. As I say, the detail took ages…but, more than that…look at it, and you will see me…not just the self portraits within it – not merely my physical form – you will see me. Who knows? You might just see yourself in there too.
All photos used in this composite are mine, with the exception of the chains themselves, which my Jamie took when we visited Tenby, South Wales.
These Chains – by Marillion
Everything crashed
His wife left him
He lost all his money
And most of his friends
He lay awake all night
Lonely and desperate
Contemplating starting again
These chains are all your own
These chains are comfortable
Four in the morning
Sat in the kitchen
Keys on the table
Went out for a drive
He didn’t know
Where he was going
Didn’t know
If he was alive
The dawn was breaking
A new day was rising
Shadows creepin’ over the fields
He watched the pink light
Steal across the horizon
He realised
He saw with new eyes
These chains are all your own
These chains are comfortable
This cage was never locked
Born free but scared to be
This cage was made for you
With care and constant attention
This cage is safe and warm
Will you die and never know what it’s like
Outside
FEATURED in ImageWriting
Tags
window, texture, woman, fear, fantasy, chains, cage, symbolic, psychological, marillion, songmistress autumn dawn
Comments
VIEWING LARGE IS A MUST IN ORDER TO SEE DETAIL!!!
Wonderful Symbolism!
Thank you so very much, Vonne. It means a lot that you think so.
– Songmistress
Cora, thank you so very, very much!
– Songmistress
oh wow, lots to consider here and it pulls at the emotions. well done.
Thank you very much, sassyjewel.
– Songmistress
great concept!
Thank you so much, Tania!
– Songmistress
Beautifully done, Baby.
Thank you. I wonder if the guys would like it…
– Songmistress
wow this is absolutely amazing work, i love it and also can identify with what you’ve done and said, i think the most important thing is to be yourself and be true to yourself and take it from there, it does get easier, i promise, your work rocks you know, you are very talented so be proud!!!! xx
Thank you. Your comment means so much and has really brought me a smile today.
– Songmistress
What a deep message!
Thank you, en-joy – for the comment and the fave.
– Songmistress
Your message is so true.
I tried to blame others for my chains for all too long, now I know I’m the one – the only one – who wraps them tight around me. Thank you, TOTS.
– Songmistress
for the past few days, all we have talked about is the comfort of habit, of not wanting to change to become but staying chained to what we believe is what we are… it takes courage and will to break those chains and face our fears… but we need to take that step so that we can become who we are truly meant to be… thank you for sharing this with us hon:) xoxox
And thank you, Sweetie, for taking the time to look and add such a thoughtful comment. It’s true… it takes courage, but I do know it’s so worth it when we do take a step to break the chains and leave the cell behind! Here’s to freedom!
– Songmistress