Lady Liberty

By M.V.

Lady Liberty must be sleep
Or maybe she turned her back
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Or maybe she doesn’t care
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Or maybe she’s in on it too
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Because there’s millions of people in a cage
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Because innocents are dying everyday
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Because those guilty remain free
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Or maybe she’s racist too
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Or maybe she just can’t see
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Or maybe she’s just a disguise
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Because we’re still waiting for justice
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Because we’re focused on the wrong things
Lady Liberty must be sleep
Because no one follows her values
Lady Liberty must be sleep

Trayvon, Tamir, Michael, Eric, Breonna, etc
The list is long, now Ahmaud and George

May you rest in peace
With Lady Liberty

30 Comments

  1. Merritt Reese on December 21, 2020 at 12:57 PM

    MV,
    This was a very beautiful poem. I really enjoyed reading it and felt like it left me with a lot of different things to think about. I especially loved the lines “Lady Liberty must be sleep / Because we’re still waiting for justice / Lady Liberty must be sleep / Because we’re focused on the wrong things”
    These lines in particular really spoke to me. You are a beautiful writer and I loved this poem!

  2. Joyce on December 21, 2020 at 3:14 PM

    Dear MV,

    This is a powerful tribute to those who have been victims of injustice, the people you name at the end of your poem. Your frustration really comes through and is very impactful and relatable. I relate to your emotions and message — it really seems like there is a lack of justice these days, when so many are being unfairly hurt. I’m not sure if this is what you were going for, but I think that Lady Liberty could be a metaphor for the U.S. as a country and its government, as you say “WE’RE focused on the wrong things” and “maybe she’s in on it too.” I think many people in our country neglect those who are suffering and sometimes our government contributes and causes that suffering. Like you say, we’re putting people in cages, which is simply inhumane. I think the repetition of “Lady Liberty must be sleep” is so important, as it reminds me of how people have been desensitized to the horrible things happening in the world, on the news — they just ignore it, like they’re asleep. This is such an important poem and I hope that people read it and feel compelled to right the injustices happening in our society. Thank you for this message!

    Sincerely,
    Joyce

  3. Maya S. on December 26, 2020 at 11:53 AM

    MV, thank you for this poem! The repetition of “Lady Liberty must be sleep” every other line really hammers in the message of the grave injustices happening right now. This poem really resonated with me because I often feel so overwhelmed by and frustrated with the disconnect between American ideals of liberty and justice for all and our unjust “justice” system, policing, and the general narrative of whose lives truly matter. Your exploration of all of the reasons this could be happening illustrates this tension so well. Keep writing!

    Best,
    Maya

  4. Kathy on December 28, 2020 at 4:36 PM

    This poem brings up feelings of sadness and frustration. It’s so automatic to want to jump in and solve problems, but sometimes we need to feel the feelings first. Thank you for writing this powerful poem and reminding us of that.

  5. Cameron on December 30, 2020 at 3:25 PM

    MV,

    This is such a great poem! I love the repetition of “Lady Liberty must sleep”—I think it really makes you think about all the things we should be doing to help those who, in a country that loves its freedom, are not free. I also like how you used Lady Liberty as a symbol. We are always told that The Statue of Liberty is a sign of hope and protection, and you do a good job exposing what it really symbols. Either she has been sleeping all this time or there’s something else doing on and she doesn’t believe that everyone should have the freedom and protections they deserve. I hope that Lady Liberty will wake up soon. Thank you for writing such a beautiful, thought-provoking poem.

    -Cameron

  6. Megan Gaines on January 4, 2021 at 8:19 AM

    Hi MV,

    Thank you so much for sharing your poem. I really appreciated how the repetition of the line “Lady Liberty must be asleep” really drove home your point about the repeated and widespread injustice facing the United States right now. Reading it over and over makes you think about how many things people are turning a blind eye to and how it goes against what people claim are the ideals of our country. This poem is very powerful and really moved me. Thank you again for sharing, I hope you write more soon.

    Sincerely,
    Megan

  7. Katherine on January 5, 2021 at 12:40 PM

    MV,
    This is so powerful. The repetition of “Lady Liberty must be sleep” combined with the author’s different interpretations of what that means–is she not paying attention? Is she racist?–is so effective.
    Thank you for a really thought-provoking poem.
    Katherine

  8. sarah on January 6, 2021 at 2:38 PM

    MV,

    As others have said, this poem brings up a lot of feelings and frustrations in regards to our current political climate, some issues which have plagued our nation for hundreds of years. The biggest takeaway I got from this is the dichotomy between non-racist and anti-racist. We know the impact of Lady Liberty’s sleep. But when we think about the motivation or intention behind it, this is where we disagree. Is she intentionally racist? Unknowingly ignorant? Is she “in on it” and somehow benefiting? Or is she just apathetic? Does it matter if the impact is the same? So while it is easy for people to say they “aren’t racist,” what really matters is if they are actively trying to change the systems and institutions that are causing harm. Being neutral and a bystander is not helpful in anyways. This poem made me more aware of the ways in which I can help bring justice to those who have suffered and who have died. Your words hold the weight and power to inspire change.

    Sincerely,
    Sarah

  9. Joseph on January 7, 2021 at 3:54 PM

    Hi MV,

    Thank you for sharing this poem. I think your repetition of the first line followed by all the injustices happening today builds up powerfully. I also liked the last line because it was thought provoking and powerful. It’s an important reminder of the responsibility of creating a just society and how the nation as a whole falls short of that ideal. I hope you will write more powerful poetry that memorializes people and reminds people of the causes that are most important.

    Best,
    Joseph

  10. Jordan on January 18, 2021 at 10:30 AM

    Hi MV,
    Thanks for sharing this poem. Your repetition of “Lady Liberty must be sleep,” emphasizes the fact that all of this injustice you are discussing is taking place in our own country, and unfortunately, there are many today who are still in search of justice. However, we can honor those who lost their lives due to injustice by telling their stories and keeping their names alive, which is exactly what you did in this poem. Thank you so much for sharing this powerful poem, and I hope that you will continue to write and share your words with others!

    Best wishes,
    Jordan

  11. Sarah on January 18, 2021 at 6:52 PM

    Hi MV!

    I thought that this poem was beautifully written! I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this poem with all of us because it certainly made me think about whats going on in our country today. Within this past year we have seen acts of violence within our own country, where it undermined the basic human rights that we are endowed with. Your poem really made me question how great of a country ours truly is, if we keep letting history repeat itself. You have such a vast vocabulary, and your imagery skills are quite unmatched. Please keep up the good work!!

    Best,
    Sarah

  12. Grace on January 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM

    Hi,
    This poem should really be everywhere for everyone to read. It is so powerful and so true. There are severely deep civil issues in our country that continue to go on unaddressed. Your word choice is powerful and so moving. Keep writing and always use your voice.
    Best Wishes,
    Grace

  13. Bridget on January 21, 2021 at 2:35 PM

    MV

    Wow! This was an extremely powerful poem. I had goosebumps the whole time I was reading it. You are an excellent writer and do a fantastic job conveying the injustices in our country. I thought it was profound when you said “Lady Liberty must be sleep / Or maybe she’s in on it too.” This brings to light the fact that the United States was founded on racism and injustice. I appreciated the end of the poem where you acknowledged victims of racism, this was a powerful way to conclude. You have a gift, I encourage you to keep writing. Thank you for sharing your poem.

  14. vcorpuzisa on January 26, 2021 at 5:32 PM

    This poem was written so beautifully. I think that it is important what MV did here because of everything that went on this year with Black Lives Matter. It is a moving message…where is Lady Liberty during this time? In my head, the question was, where is freedom? Or does freedom only apply to those who have privilege? I think that the message of this poem is so deep and is able to reach so many readers.

  15. carlygallanter on February 23, 2021 at 4:09 PM

    Hi M.V.,
    This poem was so extremely powerful. BLM is so important, especially right now with this year and all of the events that have gone down. Thank you for addressing this issue! I loved the end that you shouted out some of the many lives lost due to police brutality. It’s so important to continue to say everyone’s name and remember the beautiful lives that we have lost due to injustices. This was such a great message. Thank you so much for sharing, I really loved it so much.

  16. carlygallanter on February 23, 2021 at 4:12 PM

    Hi M.V.!
    I just wanted to say that This poem was so extremely powerful. I know I am a little late as this was posted a little while ago, but it will always be so important. The BLM movement has been talked about a lot this past year especially. Thank you for addressing this issue! I loved the end that you shouted out some of the many lives lost due to police brutality. It’s so important to continue to say everyone’s name and remember the beautiful lives that we have lost due to injustices. This was such a great message. Thank you so much for sharing, I really loved it so much.

  17. David on February 24, 2021 at 10:23 AM

    This Poems beautiful repetition of ‘Lady Liberty must be sleep’ really expresses the confusion and doubt of an equal system and there are so many different points you bring up in support of that statement. In addition that last string of names you included to prove that Lady Liberty is not present really struck a chord and I believe it all came together beautifully. Thank you

  18. Joe Fargo on March 25, 2021 at 11:17 PM

    Dear MV,

    Thank you for sharing this poem. Your powerful use of repetition reflects the repeated attempts at trying to reach out to those with the power to fix black struggles in America. I empathize with your frustration and sadness, and I hope you continue to find power in your incredible use of the pen.

    Keep writing,
    – Joe

  19. Emily on March 27, 2021 at 7:10 PM

    MV,
    This is a very powerful poem and should be something every American should read and really put some serious thought into. We’re all taught as kids about the icon that is the statue of Liberty and what it stands for, but our country is not upholding those morals at all. Hopefully, words like yours will bring about change.

  20. Ashlen on March 30, 2021 at 7:14 PM

    MV – Your poem hits hard, and you wrote it so beautifully. This country is so deeply rooted in racism and injustice, and of course we have to ask where Lady Liberty is in all this. Your poem is one step in helping us find Lady Liberty. Please keep using your words to get our nation to look in the mirror and wake up. You are incredibly talented and are here to make the world a better place.

  21. Danielle on April 11, 2021 at 9:57 PM

    Dear MV,

    This poem really emphasizes the message that Lady Liberty does not fight for us all, that the values this country were founded on were not equality and justice for all, but for the white men in power. It makes me wonder if Lady Liberty fights for justice, or the status quo of justice. With all that we are taught from a young age, that this is the land of the free, but who is really free?

  22. Nicole Burkoski on April 16, 2021 at 12:01 PM

    Lady Liberty by M.V.
    This was extremely emotional for me to read as someone who feels like they are useless in such a corrupt system. It is very saddening to hear how you view liberty in this country but you are not wrong. When reading this, the emotions I gathered were ignored, confused, and disappointed as our prison and justice system are objectifying, dehumanizing, and oppressing so many people like yourself. It wasThank you so much for sharing, this was a very well written and introspective piece.

  23. Anna on April 16, 2021 at 3:23 PM

    MV,
    This is an incredibly powerful poem. It does a great job of showing the injustices in our country. I loved the repetition of “Lady Liberty must be sleep.” The idea of justice that this country likes to portray is not the truth. There is so much racism and injustice that is deeply rooted in America. I really liked how you added the names of those who have died due to this ingrained racism and injustice. Please keep writing because your words are very powerful.

  24. Miriam on April 20, 2021 at 8:45 PM

    Hi MV,

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful poem! I know for the longest time POC have been wondering does Lady Liberty really exist and if she does, why haven’t our lives mattered? Why hasn’t our pain mattered? The list of names grows longer but our hope for equal liberty and justice will not falter. If anything it grows stronger, each day we demand more from a system that hasn’t benefitted us and today we begin to see that justice. I hope you continue writing and bring light to the racial disparities in the country.

  25. Ayzhiana Basallo on April 25, 2021 at 11:54 PM

    Very inspiring! You used lady liberty as justice in a way and explained how society is and how the system is. Like how can we be a country that doesn’t even follow our own values and what not. Like we are the hyprocrites of our own society and nation.

  26. Jason on April 29, 2021 at 12:08 PM

    Hey M.V., I really like this poem. How you question lady liberty herself as to why she’s letting all of these injustices happen is super creative. The one line where you question if lady liberty is a disguise really stuck out to me. I think that can be fairly accurate because authority figures sometimes can do whatever they want at the expense of whoever as long as they coat it all with talk about people’s rights and liberties, but that’s not always what they’re after. Another thing that I’ve been thinking about lately is how we’re supposed to live in a democracy where the people decide who their leaders are, and the people do to a degree. But who decides who they get to choose from. Is that a real democracy? Obviously we are a representative democracy, but I think that a lot of times, we don’t get to choose from the best two options. Anyway, sorry to go off back there, and I hope you don’t mind me sort of ranting. Basically I thought this poem was cool.
    From Jason

  27. Katie on May 3, 2021 at 3:50 PM

    MV,
    You conveyed such a strong message in your poem. The way you speak on liberty and emphasize that those liberties may be missing for some when everyone should have them is moving. Some say that those liberties are earned, but we see that those liberties are handed to people who are already thriving and those exact same liberties are taken away from people who should automatically receive them. Maybe lady liberty is dead, because I haven’t seen much of her lately. The criminal justice system seems skewed and the world turned upside down. I respect and appreciate you using your voice to express your opinions in such a beautiful way.

  28. Aracelli on May 3, 2021 at 9:15 PM

    Hi MV, this poem holds such a powerful message. I love the repetition being used here to make your point. I also hope that someday soon, Lady Liberty wakes up.

  29. Billie Marcheva on May 6, 2021 at 11:14 PM

    Hey MV,

    There are so many valid and meaningful points your work points out about the hypocrisy or reckless apathy of Lady Liberty. This symbol of freedom, justice, and opportunity stands for anything but.

    Keep writing. Keep sharing the truth. Your work is powerful.

  30. Justin Lambert on May 10, 2021 at 6:25 PM

    This was a very poignant, yet realistic poem to read. I cannot say for sure when things will get better for us, but I really do hope that the next generation of Americans will inherit a much better social and political landscape.

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