navwin » Archives » Spiritual Journeys » Freedom, Freedom
Spiritual Journeys
Post A Reply Post New Topic Freedom, Freedom Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
a listener
New Member
since 2000-10-30
Posts 5
Bentonville, VA

0 posted 2000-10-31 12:05 PM



Freedom, Freedom


Man cries



"Freedom, freedom, we die for your cause!  Raise its banner on high!"

Freedom, freedom, the lofty ideal, but freedom from what you cry.





"Freedom from ignorance!" one mans shouts, "Knowledge holds the key!"

"Freedom from want!" another intones, "Bread for ev'ry family!"

"Freedom of speech!" a voice is raised, "To say whatever we please!"

"Freedom of choice!" the bondsman cries, "To live the life of ease!"



"Freedom!  Freedom!" echo the masses, words quivering in the air,

"Freedom, freedom to be ourselves...to do whatever we dare!"

So Freedom was given to the land, opportunity to fill man's desire,

But Freedom was rent and torn to shreds, unable to quench man's fire.



"See, I have knowledge!  Ignorant no more!  Just see what I can do!"

See, I have bread and much, much more!  I have no need of you!"

"See, I can say whatever I wish...no matter the words are cruel!"

"See, I am free, no longer enslaved...no matter how harsh my rule!



And Freedom lay wounded in the dust, bruised and bleeding and torn,

Scarcely recognizable,   shredded and soiled and worn.

Footsteps trampling 'til little remains of the banner once held high,

No one aware of its saddened plight, no questioning, bewildered eye.



Knowledge was hollow and hunger returned and words were empty voices,

The demanding fist raised no more, futility mocking his choices.

"Freedom," man whispers, "It has no meaning...what is there left to pursue?

It's merely a figment of man's own mind.  It's merely a point of view."



Then Freedom stirred, struggling to rise, tho' feeble and barely alive,

Desperately yearning to be  heard, desperately yearning to survive.

Waiting for one to note its plight, to lift it high once more.

To tenderly gather its remnants, to raise it on high as before.



For Freedom lay deep in the heart of each man, but the demons of his mind,

Keep it imprisoned by unseen bars   while Freedom struggles that it not be confined.

  

Jean Crump www.amen67.com



[This message has been edited by a listener (edited 10-31-2000).]
© Copyright 2000 Jean Crump - All Rights Reserved
Alle'cram
Senior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 1816
Texas
1 posted 2000-10-31 06:51 AM


Hi Jean,
  Welcome to Spirituals! Not only is this a beautiful poem but filled with a variety of messages and wisdom.
  Until we open our hearts and allow it to be filled with humility and thankfulness,love for our neighbor and family; a heart of love for God, I fear we will continue to take for granted the answered prayers and blessings from God. The acknowledgement to God starts in each heart.
  Thank you for the lovely devotional in poetic form.  So much enjoyed.    Marcy

BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919
New York, USA
2 posted 2000-10-31 08:40 AM


Welcome Jean ~ You have written beautifully of the struggles for freedom...I can only ditto Marcy, by saying the hearts need to be opened, and accepting..... Thanks for sharing this powerful piece.  Bonnie
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
3 posted 2000-10-31 10:10 AM


WELCOME!

This is a very poweful entrance!! So true all of it, you've left me thinking! I hope we get to see many more from you!

Please check your email for a special greeting.

Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

4 posted 2000-10-31 09:01 PM


Welcome.  This is an amazing first post, glad to have you here.

"When red-haired girls scamper like roses
over the rain-green grass,
and the sun drips honey.""
Laurie Lee

Kathleen



Suzanne Arlene
Member
since 2000-10-09
Posts 377
Ontario, Canada
5 posted 2000-11-01 07:21 AM


A joy to read Jean.I can't wait to read more of your poems .   Suzanne
sandgrain
Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662
Sycamore, IL, USA
6 posted 2000-11-03 05:52 PM


So elequently you've described the lack of respect for our wonderful blessing of freedom!  Sadly, many blessings go unnoticed until they're taken away.  Bless you for blessing us with this piece.  Rae
Lighthousebob
Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725
California
7 posted 2000-11-04 02:59 AM


a listener?  Now that is a good thing to be...  

W E L C O M E



True, many of the ideals that we pursue as "freedom" simply lead us into a deeper bondage.  I like how you've shown that freedoms can be taken advantage of and used in the wrong manner to produce evil.  God help us to share with others the freedoms that only God can give.  God Bless You, Bob <><

Allstaria22
Member
since 2000-06-11
Posts 83
MN USA
8 posted 2000-11-04 05:14 AM


Have you ever read a poem that said exactly what you had been trying to say for a long time? When I read this poem it was like my heart was screaming "Yes, Yes, Yes" this is what I want to scream at people. Freedom is fragile and we can kill it so easily when we fought so hard to gain it in the first place. thank you for this poem, for saying the words so many of us can not.
welcome to the family.

DMH

Isaiah 1:18
"Everyone loves a rose, will you be thankful for the thorns?"

BloomingRose
Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092
Florida
9 posted 2000-11-04 05:55 PM



WELCOME!
Great entrance with this interesting poem.
Deb  

a listener
New Member
since 2000-10-30
Posts 5
Bentonville, VA
10 posted 2000-11-04 08:48 PM


Jean is truly surprised by the response from this poem and wants to thank every one for the kind words. She has many more poems and actually has some on a website called www.amen67.com  (for those of you who would to read more of Jean's writings!)



[This message has been edited by a listener (edited 11-05-2000).]

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
11 posted 2000-11-05 12:04 PM


I am truly glad you have shared, but please look into this link here.
http://netpoets.com/cgi/pip/ubbmisc.cgi?action=getannounce&ForumNumber=25&Start=2451805.99&End=2451880&Session=2451853.2318

I am locking this thread due to copyright infringement.

Please check your email.

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
12 posted 2000-11-05 04:57 PM


Ok, all 3 poem have been reopened. Happy posting!!  
Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Spiritual Journeys » Freedom, Freedom

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary