Definition of Freedom

It is a noun.

A word used to describe a person, place or thing.

It is a concept whose base definition is “ quality or state of being free”.

Big words stamped on a larger social construct that lacks creativity

A surface whose depth, once a manicured, keratin-rich, platform, rakes innocuously across, tears like graphics on a car.

Crumbles like sand castles and moats left on the shores braving tropical storms.

Bubbling and bursting

Oozing with the false, honeyed words-

Spoken to the formally and currently oppressed, disparaged entities that clamor at the shreds of light.

Brightness that burns eyes and casts long illusions.

Obsidian walls; primed and shellacked in political statements promising better times for all.

But…

Where were those better times when a group of people, native to the land so tread were pressed and deposited?

Moved like illegal funds into foreign banks with hidden fees, questionable policies and no guarantee that the deposit would be insured.

Granted a promise and protection to return items at the same face value or market value established in 1830 but not adjusted for inflation.

Where were those times that protected and helped a child by the name of Elián to live in a country that uses this word so loosely without honoring the many definitions?

A child innocent in arrival and left to the hands of public forum and laws. Dismissed like a child served expulsion documents for walking past a fight that hadn’t started.

What of the race of people that were gathered and stolen from their lands? Sold by neighboring tribes to foreigners, traded like currency at the market?

Those who were strong, defeated enough to complete a voyage to a world not so new and previously occupied?

Herded from place to place like nouns thrown into a sentence with no structure. Fit into a religion not taught with the facts but, a whitewashed depiction of supposed fact and forced submission to servitude.

Made to stand a top a pillar crafted from royalty and education shrouded in concrete, iron and cotton. Fitted with thoughts of inadequacy and internalized hatred.

Bred with the intent to create a better workforce instead of teaching the same curriculum offered to those whose flesh matched the inner rings of the fallen trees.

A word so loaded, impactful when implemented correctly and cataclysmic when partnered with antiquated hypotheses.

Something that has been handed out in waves but, cleverly replaced with pyrite once it is tucked away for safe keeping.

Laughed at and cheapened with the promise of liberty, fair trials and desegregation. Things to act as good will gifts that were Trojan horses planted in a pasture of hopes.

Oh, how needed are they? Fantasies of a time yet to be born?

Times where flesh tone only mattered in what pantyhose or tights best matched to give a seamless transition.

Times when race was not the primary description; cast and brandished like a curse. Dishonor on you, dishonor on your family. Dishonor on your cow!

The ability to peacefully assemble and not worry how many will fall at the hands of the armed. Laid at the feet of the constitution and slain for seeking equality in addition.

To speak and not have the voice labeled as a weapon while wielded like a tome of knowledge. Thorough research done to present facts and arguments in a cohesive and articulate manner. Eloquent phrasing burned like fields and towns burying the self contained brilliance.

To maneuver with safe passage and not be hyper vigilant at every interaction and reaction. Able to peer into a property built without life being extinguished like a candle in a solitary birthday cupcake.

Or to not worry when the world leaders are going to use their respective countries and resources as chess pieces. A game neither excels at nor the spectators wish to watch. An audience held captive with nothing but social media and news outlets relaying each move made.

Back and forth

Pendulum slinking side to side, hypnotizing the openly occupied pieces between others. Prepping them for wartime destruction.

Adverting their eyes to the front roll seats stuffed into hands too poor to vacate and escape the forward rushing crowds.

Breaths inhaled with little hope to be released as each move made moves like a choreographed pas de deux in futility and subtle sarcasm. Trussed in false friendships born of transactions.

Exchanged like pleasantries and idle chit chat with razors veiled.

Scraping and picking at the notion of this thing used as a bargaining unit high value, almost priceless, spoken from mouths and hands with no credit.

This word garners attention in any language as it is just as translatable as hospital or bathroom.

Liberté (French)

Saoirse (Irish Gaelic)

Kalayaan (Tagalog)

Jiyū (Japanese)

Svoboda (Ukrainian)

Freedom (English)