for Shirley Peters

Freedom is
having time to write
and nothing to say.  
Freedom is responsibility
and no one to share it.  
Freedom is
accomplishment
and no one to take it away. 

Freedom is
a long bath
and an empty bed. 
Freedom is 
dishes in the sink 
and bills to pay 
all by yourself 
and sudden crises 
and the need to take 
your own advice and 
face your own fears 
and long phone calls 
in the middle of the night 
and nobody to scream 
at you any more
and not having
to come home and wonder: 
what mood today, Lord? 

What mood
will he be in
today? 

Freedom is
a decision. 
An attitude. 
An unfortunate 
chance you must take. 

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