“Journey to Freedom” by Santhosh Annabattula

Picture Credit: Pankaj Tottada

What have we become?
Cogs in the machinations of life
Puppets in controlling hands
Prisoners of our aspirations
Patients of order and restraint
Come fly with me my friend
On this journey to freedom.

When was the last time
You had time for yourself
When you stood at the brink of dawn
Against a dazzling sky and a warm sea
With the waves lapping against your feet
When you sipped a coffee
Losing yourself in the fumes of ecstasy
When you looked beyond your window
To feel the wind caressing your face
When you sang aloud uninhibited
When you danced in the rain
Splashing the water with your feet
When you followed a rainbow
When you had a date with the full moon
When you unleashed your senses
When you had all the time in the world
To walk alongside yourself
When was the last time?
When you expressed how much
You love your loved ones
When you gave a warm hug
When your hand found a friend’s shoulder
When you kissed passionately
When you apologize whole-heartedly
When you confessed your deepest secrets
When you cried your heart out
Leaning over a caring shoulder
When you experienced the feeling
Of sleeping in your mother’s lap
Of holding your father’s hand
When you lost yourself in the moment
Relishing a blissful happiness
Because life is shorter than it seems.
When was the last time my friend?
That you were just yourself
When you shed those false pretenses
When you didn’t give a damn
When you never cared about how you look
Or how you dressed and talked
When you became a child again
Following your instincts without regrets
When you took failures in a stride
When you laughed at your foolishness
When you took pride in your weaknesses
When you broke a rule just for the fun of it
When you actually enjoyed being idle
When you screamed out your resentment,
Shattering the barriers of silence.
When you last looked in the mirror,
And wondered how beautiful you are,
What an awesome creation you are!
When was the last time
You woke up a new morning and felt excited
About what the new day brings
About those new people you meet
About the new things you experience
When was the last time
You fully lived your life in the present
Come reflect with me my friend
On what we miss in life
Come fly with me my friend
On this journey to freedom!

Team

1. Contributor:
   Santhosh Annabattula​​​​​​
   ​
2. Photographer:
   Pankaj Tottada

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This poem has been published in an anthology of twenty-eight poems titled “Immortal Verses”. Our artists would benefit if you could order a paperback to show your support. Order your copy now!

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