Liberty
By Bobby Thompson of Baton Rouge, La.
Liberation does not come over the wall with the rebels
It does not roll in with the tanks
Not with the a stroke of a pen
Not by mandate nor proclamation
Liberation does not come by crushing evil
It does not come by vanquishing our foes
Not by destroying our enemies
Not by defeat or victory
Liberation does not come with the friends that gather round
It does not come with demonstrated abilities
Not with the number of goods
Not with status nor fame
Liberation does not come by one’s own oppression
It does not come with expendable moments
Not by paying the cost to be the boss
Not by blame or shame
Liberation does not come by fulfilling one’s desires
It does not come with spiritual leadership
Not by piety of the first degree
Not by dogma nor doctrine
Liberation can only be granted by one’s own, true, self
The part that sees when the eyes are blinded by desire
Hears when the ears are deafened with adulation
Loves even when the heart is broken
Who has the courage to set loose that who dare be free?
Who has faith in that part that can’t be tamed
Who has the compassion to be intimate?
And love this face we mirror
Who can know the truth
And live.