Free People
In some sense, free people have no need
Of poets to give their speech a better voice.
But freedom wanes without great art and heed
Of powers that will enslave us with rejoice
If only given a chance. They’re here again,
Insidious as ever, they’ll try to seduce
And lull the hearts of good women and men,
To let themselves run loose and cinch our noose.
Once a generation a leader comes
Along to break our silence’s death-knell spiral
With fight, fight, fighting words that boom like drums—
Our cue to roll. Nowhere to go but viral.
Let’s join in this new course, this other tack,
And roll back the administrative state,
Let’s take the freedom to be normal back.
Now is the time for all the world to hear
This call with all our voices giving it weight—
That freedom won’t throw in the towel to fear.
.
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Daniel Rancio is an American poet and educator.
A compelling reflection on the relationship between freedom, art, and political agency. The phrase “silence’s death-knell spiral” captures the disastrous effects that Republicans’ neglect of the cultural sphere has had. I agree with the theme that art and poetic expression have an important role to play in articulating values. Although as you say, a free people do not technically “need” this, or at least think they do. The alternative is (and has been) consuming the left’s art, since people are going to consume something.
ABB, you are right on target. Leaving cultural-creative matters in the hands of the left has been a major political mistake — one that has poisoned the West.
I love this poem. Such a moving scene.
Your poem reflects a commitment to a new normalcy that has become a necessity. Hope has returned as you project in your good poem. Very fitting for the inauguration of Trump.
Thank you all for your kind comments.
A new course, another tack for art as for politics and government. Daniel, how right this is–and right as well to combine it with a warning not to let great creative opportunities go by.