Freedom Poem by Jim Yerman

Today we celebrate our freedom…how proud and lucky are we…
to live in a land we love so much…a land where we are free…

But freedom, like the Earth herself, while continually revolving
like her plants, her animals, her landscapes…her people…
is constantly evolving.

We have a host of basic freedoms which we enjoy unabashedly
but we still don't live in a world where everyone is free…

For it seems to me the arms of Freedom will never extend very far
until we can all accept what those basic freedoms are..

Until we understand that part of freedom is the freedom to disagree
Until we can control our freedom for hate and bigotry…

But if each generation tries to improve their freedoms
before they slip into the past
then the next generation…and the next…and the next…
will be freer than the last.

Until we find the whole world celebrating…not just you and me…
A world that has come together…a world that is truly free.

Yes, we're still a work in progress and we've got a long way to go
But I for one stand proud and ready to watch our freedom grow.