Fettered Freedom. Poem by Fay Slimm

Like a close-woven garment, stiflingly
Tight, 'freedom' is tied close to our heart,
We yoke ourselves stiffly with shackling chains,
Though denying these fetters at the start.

But we only reach Freedom on ceasing
To cultivate needs for escape. Handcuffs
Of hate, or even love, embraced with devotion
Can create a strangling goal, enough
To surround any dilligent soul with bonds.

So begin to stop chasing 'freedom', leave
It alone as soley the thing to pursue,
Then by breaking it's claims, by reprieving
Reasons for fighting, Freedom shines through

Fragments of self must be melted, until
What is seen written clear on the heart
Is, departure from needing self-righteous pills
Distilling their poison. We see then glitter
Of mistaken illusion such 'freedom' demands.
Bars of the heaviest steel mean no yielding
To trust, no dispelling of fears' commands.

Instead allow space to replace inner pains
Felt by this chasing of slavery. Unchaining
Is earned when we obtain Freedom again.
When days have no wants life is carefree.
We can arise then ungirded, unbound,
To achieve a sense of liberty regained.