Poem: “Free is a Word”

Free is a Word

Free is a word I have come to appreciate
Education is something I can now relate
Stress never again will I let it determine my fate
Poetry the release I need to control the hate
Society wrote me off as a lost cause
But free I am and free I shall remain
I changed my hustle from drugs
To books and knowledge gotta maintain

And I will.

9 Comments

  1. Sarah Marie on March 27, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Love your positive message and I like how you change it up at the end!

  2. Arhm on March 30, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    I like that you have an idea, like “Free, Education, Stress” followed by what you think about that idea or word. The structure of your poem works really well. The fact that the last line is separated from the rest of the poem is powerful and effective. Good word!

  3. Shannon on March 31, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    Great poem. I really like your experimentation with structure in this poem. You have this really interesting structure in the early lines that just goes subject, verb, object, subordinate clause, like this:

    subject is object that/to subortinate clause

    Given the a/a/a/a rhyme structure of the first four lines, the poem comes off as rhythmic and powerful, each line building on the last and creating a sense of pressure.

    If I could make any recommendations about this poem, it would be to consider trying to rework the final four lines to match the structure of the first four, including keeping the rhyme structure. You don’t have to keep this same ryhme, but 4 more rhyme endings would give a nice circularity and continue to build that almost audible pressure that’s building.

    The 9th line I would recommend tying into the title in some way. But overall, great poem!

  4. Melissa on April 13, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    one of the short poems that i have read and have loved so much is this one. i think its great with a powerful message. never give up. when you come home i know you’re going to do well, stay out the streets but keep it real. have faith and hope. keep writing. you’re great!

  5. chyna on April 13, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    hey i’m chyna and i’m 16……i love the your poem because you talked about how you changed from being on the streets to books……you can be free to to change your life and how you live in it…..this poem really spoke to me….i love this poem 🙂

  6. Bri on August 16, 2021 at 9:53 AM

    I appreciate the message behind this poem, it is very powerful. Specifically, I love “poetry the release I need to control the hate.”

  7. Julia on November 21, 2021 at 4:02 PM

    Wow what a great poem. I think we all change and mature after we go through things. We learn things from our mistakes and I love how you related this to you and things you have overcome. Thank you for being open and sharing your experiences through this beautiful poem! Keep writing.

  8. Shruti on February 7, 2023 at 2:57 PM

    I really enjoyed this poem! It has a powerful message that brings together multiple themes in one short poem! I see you are making great changes in your life, and through this poem, you may be helping influence others in a positive way as well.

  9. Grace on March 7, 2023 at 4:07 PM

    Hi there!
    I really appreciated reading this poem because it displays the growth that’s possible after someone makes a mistake. I think that it’s hard for a lot of people to realize that they don’t have to stay stuck in one place forever in their life, and I think a lot of people don’t realize that some of the mistakes made and some of the choices made, don’t have to define them for the rest of their lives. I’m so glad that you were able to find comfort in gaining knowledge and by reading books. I am also really glad as someone who is a psychology major, that despite judgement you might have or may be facing currently, you remembered that the only person’s opinion about you that matters is your own. Everybody has a purpose and I’m really glad that you were able to find yours. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

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