I Dreamt of Freedom



Wheat Field with Rising Sun, Vincent van Gogh, 1889

I dreamt of freedom

I dreamt of freedom and you gave me flowers:

all the world’s roses you laid at my feet;

I dreamt of freedom and you gave me jewels:

rubies and sapphires and ropes of pearls;

I dreamt of freedom and you gave me palaces:

marble fountains, courtyards and walls;

I dreamt of freedom and you gave me words:

praises and songs and promises;

I dreamt of freedom and searched myself: 

long vistas, the rising sun, the burden of death

and life.

Thanks to Tess for the prompt.  For more magpie tales: http://magpietales.blogspot.com/

x

Freedom in Chains

Freedom in Chains

The free man knows where the keys to all the padlocks are:

He chooses which to open with care;

The free man keeps his eyes on his thoughts knowing where freedom lies;

The free man knows enough is wealth;

The free man accepts the yoke knowing the master is the slave:

It is not walls and bars that make prisoners.

Willingness or Otherwise ...

My friend Seneca says a slave is not a slave, cannot be forced to see himself as a slave, if he does things willingly, with pleasure and care.  One is only a slave -- from boot boy to Emperor -- if one does things unwillingly, begrudgingly, because one 'has to'.

Freedom is a state of mind.