Free Minds
By GD
As my thoughts escape and illustrate stanzas through the
ink of my pen…
I can feel the chains being removed which held them within…
No longer am I confined by ignorance …
I am now intellectually vigilant, vividly envisioning all that’s depicted …
No matter how encrypted or scripted …
Gifted!
Though I am physically in bondage, my conscious is liberated
And constantly attending college … College of SELF
To attain knowledge of self…you must break the shackles of
your capture and adapt to the fact that there’s no limit to
the infinite landscape of the mental …
Freedom!
Whether it’s reading, writing or just reciting your favorite song …
That’s an example of being mentally enfranchised …
And not subjugated to the conflict of right and wrong …
Righteous!
On a larger scale, we all are trapped in some kind of prison cell…
This entails being physically obligated by mentally frustrated …
So, our minds become prisoners of ourselves … we aid it …
But when we ‘connect’ our ‘free minds’ we climb to heights
that can never have restraint …
our word of essence is: can.
We will never say can’t …
When we understand that we’re gifted, have freedom and
are righteous …
We help unlock millions of minds just like us …
Free Minds!
17 Comments
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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
Hi GD,
What a brilliant poem. Learning about yourself and the potential in your own mind is so invigorating and empowering. Your thoughts will always be the one thing that can’t be taken away or imprisoned… and I am so proud of you for realizing that and for working on becoming your best self. That’s all we can do!
“Gifted!
Freedom!
Free Minds!”
I love this progression and how the verses lead up to these bursts of emotion, and at the end you bring it all together really nicely and lead it to “Free Minds!” and it gives me a feeling of how this organization helps you.
Reading this I felt like are positions were switched I felt as though I was in your shoes
Dear GD,
Every line of your poem has an intention that speaks directly to the reader. “I am now intellectually vigilant, and vividly envisioning all that’s depicted…no matter how encrypted or scripted…Gifted!” That line made me hold my breath, and then the rest of your poem was that line. You are truly gifted. I am so glad I read your poem. Remain intellectually vigilant, and know that this poem is unlocking the many minds who read it. What else have you written?
Only one suggestion. Leave out contractions. The word is in it’s needs its own place.
Thank you for writing “Free Minds”.
Tina
I agree! It is time to free our minds!
Hi GD,
I really like the vibe and flow of this poem. I like that is not a traditional style of poetry. Please continue to write. Your truth and style is very intriguing.
GD,
I really appreciate the parallels between physical and mental freedom in this poem. I especially like the lines, “So, our minds become prisoners of ourselves … we aid it … / But when we ‘connect’ our ‘free minds’ we climb to heights / that can never have restraint …”. I think many of us create our own mental prisons brought on by our frustrations and stresses, but if we connect with one another then that really helps to overcome the mental chains. I also like the connection back to Free Minds. Overall, this is a very powerful and insightful poem.
-Aracelli
GD,
I absolutely love your imagery in this poem! I was drawn in completely by your first few lines. You have such a powerful message—that we CAN once we free our minds. I also really appreciate how you write that you are “attending college..College of SELF.” I think this is so important—we are the only ones who can expand our mind and reach new horizons, school, while it does help, doesn’t help you reach that full-on freedom. You have lots of really interesting ideas, and I can’t wait to read more from you!
-Cameron
I’ve read your insightful poem several times – we are all trapped .. and our minds become prisoners of ourselves — so many lines tell ofs universal feeling, whether behind physical bars or bars we create. You have expressed this quite well and the freedom that comes with recognizing the essence of the word ‘can’ — very powerful.
Hi GD – thanks so much for sharing such inspiring words! I love your concept of being mentally enfranchised through reading, writing, or listening to music. I absolutely agree that any form of creative thought is freeing and valuable. I also love the line that says “our word of essence is: can” — I think that idea is so powerful, too! Continue to use your words to spread light and positivity as you do here!
GD,
I really liked how your overarching theme here was free minds, but that each of your stanzas touched on a different aspect of freedom! Your poem has a brilliant rhythm to it, and it all flowed together so well! Nice job!
Best,
Samantha
I really loved this poem due to the fact that I am in desperate need of motivation. Life can be so hard at times and it is honestly really hard to push forward in spite of that fact and equally as hard to look at the bright side. However, this poem brought to mind one of my favorite quotes that I reflect on whenever things look bleak. It goes “Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up again”.
Dear GD,
Thank you for sharing your poem. I honestly believe that your poem speaks volumes towards the feelings and emotions that are within each individual. It is so inspiring and genuine to read words that express the value of freedom.
GD, Way to express your liberation from those chains that bind you! Your writing is a true inspiration and should be shared to all. Grabbing a pen and paper can take you a portal to anywhere and you choose the destination! Thank you for this piece
Hi GD. I remember reading one of your poems. I remember that you were the person that put assonance and intense rhyming schemes throughout them. I suppose what I would like to say in this one is that the start is inspirational since it starts off with being chained, to where the pen is the tool that carves your way out of the chains into new hope. The rhyming scheme then gets to powerfully quoted phrases such as: “I am now intellectually vigilant, vividly envisioning all that’s depicted,” where the “ih” sound hypes the reader as they continue reading. I find it most fascinating when you talk about no limits to “the infinite landscape of the mental.” I remember in science classes that the world of physics is ever growing, since one new insight tends to bring more questions to be answered. It is this spiraling snowball effect of the mind growing, intelligence growing, and the powerful phrasing progression of these poems that makes this particular poem, in my opinion, a masterpiece. I find it intriguing how you compared everyone as being trapped, and the freedom of thought which is expressed through writing. I will keep a lookout for your initials, since your poems are phenomenal. As for now, keep on writing!
Hi GD
I loved the way your words flow together and the rhythm of this poem. The refrains of single word exclamations are quite emotional. I think your ideas on mental enfranchising is powerful, I felt stronger after reading this. Thanks for this lovely work GD
It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, but your determination to change and grow is truly inspiring. It’s clear you’ve learned so much and are ready to take on life with a new perspective. Keep pushing forward and never lose sight of your goals. You’ve got this!