To mark World Freedom Day I have been asked to give a talk on modern slavery at my local church. Some of us have the great gift of freedom of choice whereas some, living on our doorstep, don’t even have the freedom to leave the house they are being held captive in. This put me in mind of a poem I wrote a few years back. I have re-worked it slightly for the theme of modern slavery.
Untaught letter boxes
Trapped in hatred
Bearing false witness, on the front lawn
Statements of hypocrisy
Truth’s allegorical
Framed intolerance on parade
Gifts of belligerence
Wrapped up in a bow
Lives in pieces
Instead of freedom for you
Cowering in silence, passports held captive
A fist flung in rage
Famed aristocracy
Turned taut with democracy
Give shelter from a shattering blow
Cloaked demagoguery
Shamed by the imagery of your thunderous pain
Lives in pieces
No freedom for you
No peace in the house, no friends or foe
As blood flows unrepentant
On streets of poverty
Pound shops and car wash
Food banks and mockery
Language creating prisoners
Lives in pieces
Instead of freedom for you
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The World Outside the Window 