Learning Freedom

Today I begin

Step by patient step

To teach myself my freedom:

Freedom from fear—

For you are not the monsters

The news has said you are

Not waiting to attack

Not waiting to censure

You, like me

Are just waiting for a sign

That if you look to me

I will not pounce

I will not ignore you

I will welcome you in.

Freedom from judgement—

For it was never my idea

To mind the way a person smells

Or how they move or how they sing

Or what they like or what they wear

We’re made to breathe

In one breath of acceptance

In grand co-mingling, everything we are

communicated thus through all our senses

Embraced and celebrated

Brought in from afar.

Freedom to move—

In circles swift expanding

Beyond the cage in which I thought I sat

To touch in fearless care and understanding

And feel the waves of love

Encircle us at last.

©Wendy Mulhern

January 25, 2012