Freedom Is

Such a silly problem

Not knowing what to wear

Any shirt will do

My coworkers won’t care

***

Each of them would match

The pants I’m wearing, which are black.

They wait, hanging, all in a row.

Of the time I have lost track.

***

Because what I’m really thinking about,

Is what I would have to pack

If I knew an army was on its way,

And I wasn’t coming back.

***

I can’t even imagine

Putting that bag together

That would take me far away from home

And through all kinds of weather.

***

The dresses that soaked up sun and lotion,

The heels that have tapped time,

The tops that made me stand up straighter,

They’d all be left behind.

***

And if I never got to go back home

But it survived the bombs and fire,

Would someone else move in

And enjoy the remains of my attire?

***

Would they appreciate my taste in books?

I have an eclectic collection.

Ayn Rand may get burned,

But otherwise, there’s quite the selection.

***

A wineglass would be impractical to take

But my grandma hand painted these.

They are imperfectly beautiful.

I would hope the hand that held them next agrees.

***

I can’t even imagine

Being caught in the middle of a war.

Having a last look around my home,

Before closing the door.

***

With the necessities on my back,

And sweaters to keep warm,

I imagine taking a deep breath

Before turning to join the swarm

***

Of people heading to the borders

Manifested by men

However many years ago

That they’re dying to rearrange again.

***

Would I even make it

Across such a distance,

While my neighbors-turned-soldiers

Put up a lethal resistance?

***

How would my dog make the journey?

The only life I’m responsible for.

I could never abandon her

Like someone else did once before.

***

She’s old though, with grey in her beard

And a lazy disposition.

I don’t think she’d understand

The urgency of our mission.

***

I’d get a wagon and pull her along.

I’m young and strong, I could do it.

I would hope my voice would keep her calm

Despite the bombs and bullets.

***

Maybe I wouldn’t be able to leave.

Maybe I would feel the need to stay

And fight beside my brothers

Whose babies would be taken away

***

By their wives over to safety

While they learned how to hold a gun

And tried to process the fact

That in order for a war to be won

***

People have to die

And they may have to kill

Someone else’s brother or husband.

Where do you find that kind of will?

***

I wonder if children are confused

About who this Marshall is and why

He made a law that takes Dads away

And makes Moms cry.

***

I never thought I’d see a war.

I thought we were too smart.

Arms should be used to hold each other,

Not to blast the world apart.

***

What caveman thought it was a good idea

To mark this as mine and this as yours?

We were all roaming, sharing everything;

To draw a line ensures,

***

That when it’s crossed there will be anger,

Maybe enough to swing a club

That leads to retaliation

And the cyclical shedding of blood.

***

I can’t even imagine

But I will keep on trying

Because for millions this is reality,

Fleeing, crying, dying.

***

Freedom is not having to worry

About where we’ll be tomorrow

It’s knowing we’ll get food and sleep,

And not anticipating sorrow.

***

Being able to build our lives

Without fear that it will all be burned,

These are freedoms and human rights

That should never have to be earned.