If I Were Free
By HW
If I were free, I would cherish
every breath I breathe.
If I were free, I would cherish
every hug, and every kiss for everyday that I missed.
If I were free, I would show the world
my presence is love, for I am blessed from above.
If I were free, I would prove people can change.
And we shouldn’t be punished forever for things we did at a young age.
If I were free, I would cherish every moment
outside of this cage,
If I were free…
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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.
Beautiful! I love the line “I would prove people can change.” I often feel I am still proving I’ve changed from the person I was when I was young.
I like how you started every sentences and line with if I were free. I feel as though you are trying to make a statement on how your life would be different if you were free and you weren’t forced to stay in one place. I believe as though you are trying to speak out to your loved ones and are begging to see them again. Great poem.
I liked how you repeated the phrase ‘If I were free’ over and over again to emphasize the theme of the poem. I like how the last line is left unfinished.
HW, your poem shows how important it is to show love to everyone. People can change and I believe that is possible for you too. I would encourage you to show your presence in love in your current environment. You have the chance to change hearts and turn lives around just by being you and telling your testimony as a changed man/woman. Praying for you!
Hi HW,
The love you carry inside of you radiates off of this poem, and your words are a reminder for me to appreciate the minutiae of life. What you write about change and punishment are so profound, and I agree with every word. From this poem, I get a clear sense that you know who you are and the beauty you bring to the world. Thank you for sharing it.
HW,
Your poem displays a profound desire for simplicity. Also, your yearning for freedom is inspiring, which highlights the necessity of diverse life experiences. Additionally, the desire for a second chance could be transformed into motivation to improve one’s circumstances. Thanks for your poem.
This poem really clearly articulates a feeling of longing that I’m really able to see and maybe even understand to an extent. The repetitive structure emphasizes what you want, but it also really shows hope. This poem has a determined and hopeful undertone that really ties beautifully together. This is a well-written and thought out piece!
HW,
Your poem is a true reminder of how important it is to not take things for granted. Upon reading this, I thought about how things can be taken away from us so quickly and easily, and that I never want to be in a position where I am wishing I appreciated something more when I had it. Ultimately, this is a truly well-written poem with the power to have genuine impact on anyone that reads it.
This is so beautiful. I love this.
This poem is amazing, I agree that we shouldn’t be punished forever for something we did before our brains developed. This poem is a wake up call to society. Amazing poem.
HW,
This poem reminds me that as human beings we often only miss the things we have in our lives when they no longer exist for us. This poem teaches gratitude and awareness.
This is such a nice poem. I love the repetition of “If I were free,” it emphasizes the author’s longing to be free and independent. Ending the poem with an ellipsis also leaves the ending open, allowing the reader to think up more things the author might do if they were free. Comparing prison to a cage also creates a powerful image, implying that the author feels like an animal trapped in a zoo.
HW,
Your poem is very well constructed and a story of your life. Keep doing what you are doing and progressing toward your goal in your healing process. I hope you are finding ways to express all the thoughts and emotions you may have been bottling up over time.
Wow, this poem really hits home. It beautifully captures the frustration of feeling trapped and unheard, no matter how much you long to express yourself. I loved how the refrain “If I were free” emphasizes that longing, and the way it’s capitalized at the end adds to the intensity of the emotion. You did an amazing job conveying those feelings.
This poem really speaks to me. Your repetition of the phrase “If I were free” emphasizes your fervent longing and desire to be free. It’s clear to me that every word in this poem was carefully curated and placed. This piece of writing is really genuine and straightforward and I admire that. You are confidently stating everything that you want for yourself. The sincerity and emotion in this poem make it stand out.
The repetition of the phrase “If I were free” really emphasizes all the possibilities you can imagine in a free life. With the final line being this as well, I really feel the sense of longing in wanting to be free. The ellipsis at the end gives a sense of infinite opportunity. It’s like a trailing list that could go on forever and I really appreciate the extent with which this poem makes the reader feel the intended emotions.
Thank you for sharing your poem. I like that you used repetition with “if I were free”. It really shows that people grow and change and that mistakes don’t define us, but makes us learn from our mistakes.
The repetition in this poem is very sentimental and thoughtful. You were able to express a feeling of deep longing for what once was, and I applaud that. I hope you will be free soon.
The repetition of if I were free is truly stunning. I admire how the ending of the poems leaves readers thinking what else could come after the repeating phrase. This poem made me open my eyes to how I should really start living in the moment and cherishing the little things. Awesome.