Freedom

Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, 
can never subdue the basic human desire 
for freedom’
- Dalai Lama

'Freedom is never voluntarily given 
by the oppressor; it must be demanded 
by the oppressed.’
Martin Luther King. Jr


Through tears and mist and rain
they caught a blurred glimpse
of Freedom

and they called out Freedom’s name.

But the Oppressor’s men came
with their truncheons and shields
and helmets and guns

and the Oppressor commanded silence.

He ordered Freedom
to rev up its engine
and leave

but the crowd would not be silenced.

They chanted
waved banners
sang songs of hope and joy

and demanded that Freedom return.

The Oppressor looked on;
implacable,
stern

so sure of himself

until Freedom
hit the brakes
and did a three-point turn.