free

if you know
what it means
to be
free

rejoice!!
for you recognize belonging
&
belong

to a world
people
proud
historic

welcoming warm
creative in our ways
being generously kind
with it,

yet amongst our cities
towns, villages
forests, streams, children, women, men    mountains
hide their sorrowful tears

dulling fears & numbing pains
awkwardness'
premature deaths
misery

and
for
why
?

perhaps to cry away hidden frustrations
in such lonely ways
isolated
with feelings of shame for company?

it's like our tongues have been ripped out
silenced
disconnected from our hearts
many voices

so lost and frightened these days
too scared to speak out
stand up for humanity, choice
on this land,

not surprising given
laws enforced by the empire builders
upon us
tying our own hands,

to be proud people
our worlds
people
is a beautiful way

to want free nations, worlds
peaceful, fair and humane
is every human souls right
round the globe

but to achieve this
getting back on our feet
and walking tall, breathing fresh air
we must stand up

stand up
let our voices be heard
where they matter
to one another

sharing what is in our hearts
with each other
standing firm
to face the law

of protected policies & politics
protected politicians & councellors
and the rest of that cruel
system of rule,

we, together can change this world
to represent our values, dreams
wants and welcomes
from today anon, as is our right,

[i]and when we meet I will smile and say hello

leaving silences
to echo round
elsewhere  &
after