Comment from Laurie Holding

Exceptional

I loved this piece and read it three times. I love the sentiment, here, that our freedom comes with the understanding that we need to elevate humanity, put others' needs before us, and learn that our reward comes from the feeling of helping others. This was a six-star for me. Thank you for posting.

 Comment Written 07-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 08-Dec-2023

Thanks again for the six star rating and all the encouraging support. estory

Comment from Sarita Méndez

Excellent

Your comment is so true! And your poem is very well written and straight to the point you make in your comment. Your last two lines are also very true and everyone should meditate on them.
Thank you for sharing this text.

 Comment Written 07-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 08-Dec-2023

Thanks so much for the excellent review and I am so encouraged by all the comments in support of the poem. It has probably gotten the best ratings for any poem of mine in quite some time. Surprising. But sometimes the readers latch on to things the writers don't always feel at first. estory

Comment from Ginda Simpson

Excellent

Your poem and your author notes offer us not just food for thought, but nourishment for our souls. I also believe that we have lost sight of our responsibility to ourselves, our community, our country and our world. It must start with each one of us as individuals. Well written.

 Comment Written 07-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 08-Dec-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and your encouraging comments in support of the poem. I like to make people think, and I think I accomplished that goal with this one. I really was surprised by the positive responses, and maybe there is some hope for our world after all if so many people feel this sense of responsibility about freedom. estory

Comment from Navada

Excellent

What a profound and beautifully argued point. This is resonant in and of itself but so much more when we see the conflicts happening around the world and those being oppressed struggling for their ideal of freedom. Thanks so much for sharing this.

 Comment Written 07-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 07-Dec-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and your perspective on the piece. I wanted people to think about the fact that freedom has to mean more than just an empty space. It is really about what you create in that place, and being considerate, sympathetic and respectful of the people around you. I was surprised at how popular this became and how many six star reviews I got for it. estory

Comment from harmony13

Exceptional

The author's words for me were meaningful, descriptive and creative. The
last stanza stood out for me. Thank you for the author's notes -they
speak volumes! I agree with the author - I think we have lost our way in
this long journey of freedom. The poem flows and connects well. This
poem for me, states an excellent summary of where the world is today!
Thank you, for an exceptional poem.

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 07-Dec-2023

Thanks again for the exceptional review and all your wonderful words of support for the piece estory

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

We have indeed lost our way, estory. The world has lost its way. All around us people get more right wing, fighting against what is our democracy and ultimately our freedom to talk freely to protest and share our opinions. I fear for the West, as ruthless people want to take all this away from us in the name of power.
You just got me going with your well written poem. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 07-Dec-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and your perspective on the piece. I wasn't really thinking or talking about politics in this piece. The left is just as bad as the right. It is about thinking of freedom not as a space to do or say whatever you want, but in which to build something positive for your fellow man, with consideration, respect and sympathy for others. Forget about politics. It's corrupt. estory

reply by Ulla on 07-Dec-2023

The sad thing is that freedom doesn't come for free. It's something we all have to fight for, unfortunately.

Comment from Jasmine Girl

Excellent

Yes. In the western world, you take freedom for granted. You have it but don't know what to do with it. Some use it for good while some use if for evil. That makes the world interesting. Don't we need all these to train AI?

Well done.

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and your interesting perspective on this issue. I think people from countries like China and Russia or Eastern Europe have a greater appreciation for and respect for freedom. They know what it could be like without it. Thanks for the support. estory

Comment from Daylily

Exceptional

You have presented the current situation very well and enhanced it with an excellent author's note. My early childhood was spent in the 1950s. Comparing life here in the United States today with what it was like way back then, I shudder to think of what is looming in the future. Thank you for sharing this striking posting about what freedom is and is not.

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2023

Thanks again for the exceptional review and your encouraging comments supporting the piece. I appreciate it. estory

Comment from Jesse James Doty

Excellent

So, we've gone in circles and there seems to be no one taking responsibility for their so-called freedom. I suppose you are right. This poem seems to make several points yet in the end it is the fighting for freedom that makes our country great. So, fight on and go for the gusto another person would say we have gone too far in one direction but I say fight on!
Jesse

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and your perspective on the poem. I agree that freedom is an aspiration worth fighting for, but what we have to keep in mind is that it shouldn't become a space for doing whatever we want or whatever we can get away with. It should be a place for building positive things, with respect and compassion and sympathy for others. We seem today to be caught up in this idea that freedom means we can do whatever we want. estory

reply by Jesse James Doty on 05-Dec-2023

There was a book in the 70s that was entitled, "Freedom Not License." I think that applies here as well.
Jesse

reply by the author on 06-Dec-2023

I never heard of it. I'll have to check it out the next time I get to Barnes and Noble. estory

reply by Jesse James Doty on 06-Dec-2023

I think you will enjoy reading it.
Jesse

Comment from Annmuma

Excellent

Well-written essay. Indeed, you are correct that it is not freedom itself that holds the importance, but rather how we express and understand the true meaning of freedom. I applaud your essay. ann

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2023

Thanks so much for all the words of support and the excellent review. I am glad that so many people seem to share that sentiment. estory