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Freedom
these keys
which I have given
coerced beseeched or willing—
promises, vows, endearments,
strictures, scriptures, fears,
rings, whips, angels,
demons and temptations of the flesh
these keys
I take them back
I take back my life
from the fire of love
from the embrace of compassion
from the necklace of piety
from the identity card of party and clan
from these
and all other leashes
I take back my life
neither blindfolded nor blinkered, I step
into the shouting avenue of tomorrow
where the wind howls
and the dead branches
mock with witches fingernails
barefooted but without bit or halter
naked of all attachments, I advance
on broken glass
there’s no going back
bleeding or cold
to the house of the stolen keys
© Johnmichael Simon
2007
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