[Critique Group 2] Attempted send of piece for 7-28-22/BC

[James Rock]

Greetings Group-2,
I hope this works! I don't have my new computer but have researched
the use of the gmail site instead of Outlook which I currently lack. I
am trying to send a poem: Remembering to be Free, both as an
attachment and below.
I would greatly appreciate if someone would let me know if I have been
successful!
BC
***
Remembering To Be Free
© Brad Corallo
Word count 171

Self made purgatories and artificial prisons.
Like Marley’s ghost,
we may forge our own chains.
Though such aren’t always ours to earn.
Guilt, regret or just being in the world
can provide the requisite cold iron.

As the weight of the years falls upon us,
truly feeling free can become illusory.
Some build cages of the mind.
Punishing themselves over
paltry breadcrumb sins.
While others drained by far too much loss
lose hope and forever dwell,
isolated, within unyielding incarceration.

We may come to learn in time
that freedom is anything but free!
Nor is it a word for
nothing left to lose.

Rather, it is an untrammeled   path of being
for engaging with the world.
There are transparent barriers to dodge,
Lies that can ensnare and
compromise sincere open hearted efforts.

At such times we must
remember who and what we are!
Though we are constrained by gravity and
the maintenance of our bodies.
Our minds and hearts
are still undeniably our own!

jamesstarfire at gmail.com
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