a judgment on me

to be free
is to live open ...
to hurt and pain
to suffering and sorrow.

to live free
is to breathe in the air of fresh possibilities
of ridicule
and constant challenges.

why then undertake this effort?

the universe, in its infinite glory
demands this of me.

for the rewards of freedom
are bountiful.

love, truth, beauty
these are open secrets
not held in temples or prisons
but in the hearts of men and women.

for freedom is the ultimate destination.
not life, not even death
can deny me of this.

opening vulnerabilities means
no fear.

steadfastness in the face of extreme prejudice
is being fair
being honorable
being alive
at the core of the being.

no more defenses
no more offenses
just living in the right.

anarchy
is more about freedom
than chaos.

if the system undermines
be steadfast, my heart.
all is well.

if the course is long,
persevere.

if strength fades
borrow from freedom and hope
and walk
and run
and fall
and rise
and walk again.

this is how we live.
this is what we choose.

this is us
me and you.

i trust.
i am open.
i always will be.
i promise.

across

To begin
is to end with a clean break.

Move …
immigrate even!

But how do I let go
of a legacy of words?

Words … cross boundaries
cross countries
cross lines – imaginary or political.
To let go of words
and the craft of language
is to let go of skills -
learned the hard way.

Like patience
in the face of criticism.

Like perseverance
under a barrage of insults.

Like keeping a cool head
amidst furiously flying arguments.

Like the willingness
to face a fresh sheet of paper everyday.

Like creativity
that strikes at the heart of everything practical, reasonable
and common-sensical.

How can I let go
of these …
and be me?

Be disciplined
and be pragmatic
and be …
not so bloody melodramatic eh?

Poetry. And me.
Breaking new rules
in a new society.

Heh!