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By GD

Free me from the beast that holds the minds of many. Free me from that terrifying Roar which lies within me. Though it’s in a cage, it still shows his teeth. Silently waiting to attack those who caused grief. It sweats constantly and beads form around its brow. Yet it never alters only nourishes the thoughts of relieving its hunger like that of a crying child.

Free me from the Beast that turns men into Savages. Free me from a place where every day is tragic. Laws are in place to punish and tame. But evil begets evil, so immorality remains. The walls close in, and the hearts begins to pound. How can one amend, when the soul is broken down.

Free me from the beast that tells these awful tales. Free me from the coffin that’s designed as a cell. Is there such thing as Beauty in the world when all that surrounds the vision is hell? How can one survive with no sense of touch, taste, sight, or smell. If survival is key, life has led me astray. I no longer sleep, I die at the end of each day.

Free me from the Beast that forbids me to mourn. Free me from the screams of those who have long gone. Contemplating with each year that passes by. Suicide is not the first reaction. The inside has already died. No more dreams; no more goals; yes there’s blood in my eyes. Men don’t hold secrets; we secretly past lies.

Free me from the Beast that drains the mind of ambition. Free me from the binary chains of that we call religion. We must have killed God because the prince is winning. When you look at me, can you see my Venom? There are no fangs or peeled off skin but at times I slither. No natural selection, this evolution is richer. Free me from the Beast that I have grown to love. Free me from the home that I no longer think of.

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25 Comments

  1. Joshua Redd on September 22, 2020 at 1:01 AM

    I love this poem so much because it speaks about the inner thoughts and meditations of those that we treat as forgotten. We are all human and affected by the violence of the world.

  2. Alison on September 25, 2020 at 11:04 AM

    The imagery and descriptions you use in this piece are so powerful and clear. Please continue to write and create. Your voice is powerful, and needed in this world.

  3. McKenna Gebhardt on September 26, 2020 at 7:16 PM

    This is amazing. I am currently in nursing and have seen the effects of COVID firsthand. Please keep up with writing, this is beautiful and inspirational. Great job.

  4. Lisa Joan Reardon on September 26, 2020 at 7:25 PM

    This is really powerful. It reflects how painful life is and how difficult to maintain any hope. I’m touched by all of it but especially these lines in the 2nd section: “Laws are in place to punish and tame. But evil begets evil, so immorality remains. The walls close in, and the hearts begins to pound. How can one amend, when the soul is broken down.” Thank you for putting your experience and thoughts into words and for sharing.

  5. Alec on September 27, 2020 at 4:49 PM

    GD, I would first like to thank you for sharing your poem. The way you write being able to convey the feelings of passion and emotion is very difficult for many to do so well. Before I continue on I feel it is only right to give myself a little introduction so you know a bit about me and my life. My name is Alec and I am currently a senior in college studying Criminal Justice, and I grew up in a very small town. I read your work multiple times before I started to type this reply. My initial thought after reading this poem was, “Wow, this person has been through a lot.” I feel for you, and I can only imagine how difficult it is at times. That being said, the hellish environment that you described in your poem does not always have to be so bad. Now I don’t know everything about you and I don’t know what your goals in life were, but that feeling of having all your ambition drained can change. You are rich with stories, life lessons, and passion that in and of itself makes you very valuable. Think back to a time that changed your life dramatically. I’m sure you just like me would more than likely go back and fix it if you could. Now think about the people who are entering the same environment as you for maybe the first time. People who slipped up and made a mistake that need a little help getting back on the right path. After reading your poem I feel like you would be an amazing person to talk with those individuals and help them back on the right path using your stories and lessons. Through helping others you might find that passion and ambition again. I wish you well on your journey through life and hope that you are able to find a passion in something. Remember, you are not alone on your journey.
    -Alec

  6. Kenya Lewis on September 29, 2020 at 2:27 PM

    This poem was very interesting to read and it made me reflect heavily. Although, we all come from different backgrounds and live different lives, I think at some point most of us can relate to “the beast”. The beast may look, sound, or even feel different than it would for the next person, that’s what makes your poem unique to you.

  7. Steffy Tene on September 29, 2020 at 7:10 PM

    I really really like your poem. It has a very powerful message about how society norms affect us, at least that’s what I could gather. The best part about your poem is how you started each stanza with “Free me from the Beast..” then you followed up with what you wanted to be freed from specifically and how that special thing you lost affected you. This format kept me engaged and made what you wanted to say clear.

  8. Angela on September 29, 2020 at 7:20 PM

    “But evil begets evil, so immorality remains.” I think this is the strongest line in the poem, or at least it’s the one that stood out to me the most. The symbolism/metaphor of the Beast is also really powerful.

  9. Abigail Cross on September 29, 2020 at 7:33 PM

    -GD,
    This was a really powerful poem. I encourage you to keep writing because you are really good at it; it is also a good way to express yourself. I truly wish you all the best.

  10. Emma on September 30, 2020 at 10:00 AM

    GD, you have written such a powerful, thought-provoking poem. The way that you’re able to articulate these beasts that you feel is intense and beautiful, and I really hope that you continue to write.

  11. Caity on September 30, 2020 at 4:33 PM

    GD,

    This is such a powerful and moving poem. I teared up as I was reading it, thinking of you and what moved you to write these words that carry so much weight and truth and sorrow. You have a really rare gift that I hope you continue to use. The way you make words that don’t seemingly rhyme work together is so powerful and impressive, like “many / within me” and “savages / tragic.” I felt like I could hear you speaking or reading it aloud and your words carry far beyond where you are. I also found your repetition of the title to be really effective in relaying the theme of the poem, and such a heavy, heavy sadness. These lines, in particular evoke so much feeling: “Free me from the coffin that’s designed as a cell. Is there such thing as Beauty in the world when all that surrounds the vision is hell? How can one survive with no sense of touch, taste, sight, or smell.” I hated thinking about your resignation, when you still have so much to live for and share with others. I hope you continue to share these words and your talents with others. There is no doubt you have a gift.

    -Caity, Washington D.C.

  12. Andrea Nelson on October 1, 2020 at 3:40 PM

    I was really moved by your poem. I have no experience with prison, so I can’t imagine what you’re going through. However, your poem gave me an idea of what it’s like, and I respect that you didn’t sugarcoat anything. I agree that it’s easy to despair when we see evil around us. I imagine that it’s hard to find moments of joy in prison but I hope that somehow you do.

  13. Willow on October 4, 2020 at 2:10 PM

    GD, I really really liked your poem. the style you chose to write in made it feel more like story telling but the message is deep in the words. My interpretation would be that we all have that beast that holds us back from being able to move on. It can be damaging to our future when we hold onto our past, it stops us from embracing what we could have instead of what we had. It takes time and patience to control the beast but it can happen.
    You have an amazing gift of writing. Keep going!

  14. Kathleen Brown on October 6, 2020 at 2:58 PM

    I think being ourselves and breaking free of the constraints placed upon us is one of the most difficult but rewarding goals in life. I truly hope you continue writing, you have an erudite but relatable style!

  15. Maddie on October 7, 2020 at 1:50 PM

    GD, this is a very eloquent poem. The second stanza stands out to me as being especially powerful. The questions you bring up, especially, “How can one amend when the soul is broken down?”, prompt one to reflect on the severity of the prison system and the flaws within it. I get a strong sense of what you’re feeling when reading your words even though your experiences are not ones I can personally relate to. It can be empowering to transform the challenges we face into written words that can be shared with others, and I hope you continue to do so. Thank you for sharing!

  16. Ben M on October 8, 2020 at 11:01 PM

    GD, I love your idea of the beast. I feel as if everybody has some sort of beast in their lives and I love the way you use your voice to explain the feelings brought on to us by this “beast” weather the beast come in the form of a physical oppressor or even a mental one such as depression or anxiety. The way you used your voice to convey they feelings brought upon us is beautiful and horrifying at the same time.

  17. kassidilenae on October 13, 2020 at 9:15 AM

    GD,

    Wow. Your poem is piercing. The rhythm and internal rhyme keeps the poem flowing and slithering on just like the Beast you speak of. I find it interesting that you both oppose the Beast yet you love the Beast and have come to be like it. This internal conflict rings true with your readers. Keep fighting that Beast. There is hope still.

    KS

  18. Bryan Chong on October 20, 2020 at 7:26 PM

    This is really a deep poem. The rhetoric is amazing and I love your rhetorical questions. I especially loved the line, “Men don’t hold secrets; we secretly past lies.” I also thought the reference to the “Beauty” was clever. You convey such raw and delicate feelings that really hit home. Even though I cannot say I relate to all of these words I can say I appreciate them.

  19. Cameron on October 23, 2020 at 8:14 PM

    GD, your imagery is amazing, and it allows this piece to flow so nicely. You do a great job expressing how terrible and painful life can be, but I like how you are always asking to be free—I think that shows that regardless of what we are going through, or how terrible the Beast is, there is always another side, a place where we can be free from this Beast. I hope that you are able to be free! Overall, I’m sure this piece was very difficult to write, and I really thank you for sharing it with us. I hope I can read more of your work!

  20. Hannah on October 30, 2020 at 3:34 PM

    GD,
    This has been one of my favorite poems that I’ve read. The reader can really connect with your feelings when you keep the symbol of the beast throughout the poem. The imagery that you give through the feelings of being trapped while also trying to trap this beast shows such a good link between what we feel keeps us from truly feeling free. You have such a power with words, keep writing!

  21. Logan on November 5, 2020 at 3:08 PM

    GD, you’ve made an immensely deep literary work here and I really enjoyed it, thank you. I encourage you to keep up with making it, so that you may hone this skill and put it to use. I would also like to say, that things will get better, maybe not today, maybe not in a week or a year, but life doesn’t only get worse. One day, things will make a flip for the better, and I do hope that day is soon for you my friend.

  22. Lyndsay on December 4, 2020 at 7:37 PM

    This is such a powerful and raw poem. This truly comes from the heart and shows the pain that is caused by the violence that occurs in the world. The way that you described in detail what you feel makes it easier to paint a picture in your head. I wish you the best of luck and would love to read more of your work.

  23. Diana D on March 18, 2021 at 4:16 AM

    Im so proud of you , my sweet husband. Your words are so powerful. Never stop writing 😉
    Love you

  24. Alivia on March 30, 2021 at 12:45 PM

    I appreciate how honest and deep this poem is, and that you conveyed your feelings so well. The truth of pain and evil and how awful they are to humans is sad. I’m glad you can relay your emotions like this to try and express how you feel.

  25. Grace Denno on May 3, 2021 at 10:59 PM

    I am a student in a community service course at Wayne State in Detroit whose goal is to engage with the community beyond the university. When I discovered Free Minds I was immediately thrilled to see the connections build around your writings and heart, and what you have to offer is a powerful and beautiful gift to the community. It was a true privilege getting the opportunity to read what is on your heart and mind, your desires and passions, thoughts, and struggles. You have so much to say, so much wisdom to give, and such deep experiences and desires to share with the community that people from all walks of life, backgrounds, beliefs, and ages can deeply connect with and affiliate with. Keep engaging with the community and making your voice heard. You bring healing, hope, and renewal of mind to many who have the privilege to share in your poetry. Your poem is exciting and thrilling while also being scary and thought provokingly deep. I keep thinking of the line “I no longer sleep, I die at the end of each day.” Your poem is so powerful and piercing because of your use of free me in repetition at the start of each thing you want freeing from. This poem makes me think deeply of each of the things that are bondages to you and to many of us. You are not alone and you are an inspiration for voicing the voices in your head so that hopefully, this can be the start of what breaks you free from the bonds that hold on so tight.

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