Inspired by Reena’s Exploration Challenge #231 & Eugenia’s Weekly Prompt – Smattering
let only a smattering
of what others say penetrate
beneath the protective sheathing
built up over the years
of defining how to live
with yourself
don’t let their insecurities, insensitivities, and disrespect
enter your own “community of madness”
for you have enough on your plate
with you and only you
dive in despite the hurt
bring your light to being
These two pieces clearly show the juxtaposition between a life which is freely chosen and one which is not.
You dance for us too by Chris Hall
We watch you dance in the sunlight
admiring your graceful fluidity
your total abandonment
to your art.
We watch you dance from our windows
confined inside, with limbs
no longer able
to obey.
That freedom, which once was ours
lives on, as we watch
while you dance
for us too.
Barely Ten by Rashmi Buragohain
Featured on Masticadores USA 3/31/22
She was barely ten
When she had to take
Those seven steps around the fire
With weary eyes
She was barely ten
When she stepped in that house
With a toy of a doll
Clasped in her hands
She was barely ten
When her toy was forgotten
Lying somewhere in a corner
Covered with dust
She was barely ten
When the ladle became her life
To feed them all, but none to ask,
«Where is your morsel, dear?»
expanding our wings
fluid freedom is so rare
true hopes for success
pretty bearded tit
panurus biarmicus pose
flight above reedbed soon
the reality of who we are
wrapped in layers of facades
nurtured by culture and family
binds us stoically in place
the lens to our essence
is worn only by the carefully in tune
and compassionate observers
they see us prominently in the opaque
yet fear continues to holds us in check
until the threshold of mediocrity is breached
as exasperation begins to break the hold
of the form of tortuous conformity our bodies inhabit
we set ourselves free, finally…
A profound piece of liberation and empowerment. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
breaking through
outer shell
facade’s protection
birthing
raw beauty
that is
Her own
~ * ~
Photo Courtesy of Pinterest
feeling free in it
above me starry skyline
emptiness to fill
Achieving freedom is a noble aspiration, wouldn’t you agree?
Letting go…
-Letting go of control
-Letting go of “old” feelings
-Letting go of hurt and pain and loss
-Letting go of dreams for the future
-Letting go of the past
-Letting go of my old identity
-Letting go of “justice”
-Letting go of fear
My hands and heart are now free
© 2019 Jason A. Muckley
I was impressed with how well Shivani articulated what freedom feels like. I’ll venture a guess that many of us have had similar thoughts. Life does put us through the wringer, doesn’t it? 😉
I want to be free
from the clutches of this world
so that I could fly freely in the vast sky,
and chase the dreams, I once strangled.
I want to be free
from the cage of my thoughts
so that I can experience peace,
and loosen up the invisible knots.
I want to be free
from the judgements of people
so that I can be unapologetically me,
and make my life gleam and sparkle.
I want to be free
from the slavery of my soul
so that I can fix my broken life,
and make it whole.
I want to be free
from the feelings of my heart
so that I can love myself again,
and also never fall apart.
defying the norms
experiencing life on my terms
speaking out
in the face
of criticism
IS
challenging myself
keeping the promises
made to myself
defining boundaries
setting them in place
standing up
for what's right
IS
loving myself
deserving what i need
wanting what i deserve
challenging the status quo
standing against
the patriarchy
defending my honor
IS
respecting myself
it’s been a long time coming, baby
I Write Her 