Poetry – Freedom – Not a selfish greed but an expression of love and togetherness.

Posted on by Opher

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Freedom

I am always reminded of Donovan when I hear the word freedom. Back when I was a boy I remember sitting in my room playing that Donovan track – Catch the Wind – and taking in that line – Freedom is a word I rarely use without thinking of the times when I’ve been loved.

Freedom is relative and can never be complete. There are too many strictures. If we choose to live within a social setting then we need to be aware of the feelings and needs of those around us. That is a limitation on our freedom, a compromise of our actions.

We are all different and yet we find a way of rubbing along together. That is life. We accommodate each other; we assist, help and look after each other. In return we get warmth, friendship and reciprocal help when we need it. We create society.

What stands out are the ones who refuse to be part of that society, who are greedily exploiting and grabbing everything they can for themselves. For them their freedom to do what they want becomes abuse of others.

I strive for a fair world where the compromise between personal freedom and social equality is based on empathy and compassion.

 

 

Freedom

 

Freedom is a concept that is compromise

An idea of amorality

That is even a landmine for the wise.

One man’s freedom impinges on us all

When without restraint,

Limits or bounds

It could result in making

Others crawl.

 

For the main we learn to rub along quite well

To find our ways through the twists

Without plunging others into hell.

 

When I speak of freedom

I mean equality,

Fairness, justice and space

For all humanity.

 

Others speak not of freedom

But selfishness;

Wanting it all for themselves

Without a thought for the rest.

 

My freedom is of the loving kind.

 

Opher 1.5.2016

20 thoughts on “Poetry – Freedom – Not a selfish greed but an expression of love and togetherness.”

  1. I’ve only felt free ONE time in my life. My bff and I ran away to the east coast, stayed in a lighthouse, and then (after picking up a retired cop friend of hers, drove from Baltimore up to Salem and back. I didn’t have to be responsible for anyone or anything! That week was the best sleep I’ve ever had! That was in 2000.

    1. I suppose I have some years of freedom (it’s all relative). As a youth at college in London we had a grant and very little obligations. It was the sixties and everything was happening – very positive vibe. We basically did exactly what we wanted – music, talk and excitement. We solved all the world’s problems and the mysteries of the universe. I hitched around Europe and the States. Having kids was a bit more constricting.
      Now, with a career behind me and kids flown, we are relatively free again. We do what we want.
      But freedom is a strange word. Mandela said that you could be completely free in a prison. I know what he meant.

      1. The Mandela sentiment — I think that’s the way I feel when I get on the blog. I guess because I’m beholding to no one…

      2. Now I am not in my job I am free to say whatever I like. I can speak my mind and be myself. That’s a good feeling (though it does cause a few problems). But that’s freedom for me.

      3. I think you have more of a feeling for it than me. I still find myself self-censoring myself when I write on here. I think I got on here with the intention of “spreading around fairy dust” as I said to Plato one day. 😀

      4. Well perhaps I should self-censor a lot more. Then I would not get into so much heated stuff.
        But I believe that I should state exactly what I feel as clearly as I can manage. What else is there? If people aren’t convinced by my argument they are free to counter it. I give them a platform and never edit or remove anything.
        Say what you believe – loudly. What else can you do?

      5. You know I’m sure that there are a lot of people who are convinced I don’t spread around fairy dust even when I’m trying to spread round fairy dust.
        I guess I have a heavy hand. Too stubborn, opinionated and blunt for my own good – but I’ve always been like that – too late to change now – and I think I mean well.

      6. Don’t ever change, friend. Be just who you are. You give me hope. Off to see my brother-in-law who is in hospice care now. Catch you later.

    1. Too true Dave. I think that nobody is ever completely free. Even if we were living wild back in the wilderness we would be limited in what we could do and chained to the necessities. Once you involve others life is a compromise. But it doesn’t have to be a bad compromise. We can be all the richer for it. In my opinion as long as equality and fairness are the basis of all relationships we have an enrichment.

    1. The land is alive. Photons behave differently when observed. I fear we have lost our empathy. That was a good article. Thanks Dave.

      2. That is amazing. I’ve never seen it spelt out so clearly. The world is much weirder than we believed. Is all matter conscious?
        Thanks for sending that through, Dave. That is fascinating.

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