by Caroline Allen

A desire for
Freedom
Has been here
Since my beginning

An ideal
A reality
A phantom
A promise

There is a freedom 
That can only be
Expressed
In self-restraint

A creativity
Polished to
Shine
A mastery

Mastery of self
That is
A source
Of true
Freedom

There is a freedom
In casting off burdens
A freedom of running
Naked 
Through the streets

That freedom of 
Surfing 
Feelings and 
Whims
Like waves

And a fear
Of freedom and 
A fear 
Of losing freedom

There is freedom redeemed
Found in faithfulness
In life,
Responsibility,
Virtue,
Unencumbered by self

But all freedom comes
With a price
A sacrifice
To gain one is to 
Forgo 
Another form

The freedom to 
Love well 
Costs the freedom
To choose my way
Until loving well becomes 
My way

But choosing to 
Make sacrifices
Is also
A kind of 
Freedom
A chosen freedom

---

Caroline Allen is from Raleigh, NC. She is an avid reader and finds writing and collage creative outlets for expressing and experiencing faith. Her work is published in Ekstasis Magazine, Poetry for Mental Health, and Solid Food Press. Her day job is working in administration and conference management at the University of North Carolina.