She sat
the leather of the chair
damp beneath her
no underwear
revealed in candle light
a straight spine
a crouching mind
she obeyed
not for fear or need to ruin
but the sheer freedom of feeling
her knees rub against carpet
her mouth close upon bit
her eyes lost beneath satin
she knew
when it came
the lash would last
as long as forever
the welt may diminish
the pain may recede
still she could feel
the weight of regard
afixed to her as light of fire place
illuminated what she could not
her darkness exposed
take what you will
take what she cannot give
willingly
and in setting her free
she is within and without cage
able at last
to feel the breadth of herself
by your regard she finds reflection
not the echo she reinterprets
there in the scour of past
but the lover
piece by piece she learns
to offer her secrets
for trust is earned
in every move toward
the command