A Shout Into the Void

They make laws, like great dictators; say they do for my sake; I know these laws, like blood-money, in reality, fake; They force them on me; prodding, pushing, Pressing, propelling, I keep pleading; perpetually peace perpetrating; Who hears? My calls fall like raindrops on rock; void, vapid, vain; Leaving me, like stream in a desert, futile and no gain... When I oppose, my hand and leg mangled! Freedom of thought! I've freedom they say; Yet, I must speak wisdom, by them, taught! You are free to fight in a court, they say, and sure to loose, You need life or love death? Like pizza or cake you can choose! I lose peace; my freedom is curtailed; A bird in gold cage, Axes around me; forces against me stand full of rage... Country has attained freedom from all yokes is the story, Yolks within turn terrorizing and crueler, day-by-day; Morning dawns with worries; evenings end with the same always, Worries persist; they seem moving toward my grave, tight-race; I howl, yell, cry, scream, screech; finding no right way to proceed, I'll never stop; though with wounds in mind and heart, need to bleed... 25 December 2021 Pick-A-Title, Vol 27 Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Edward Ibeh