My dream,
Is to be free

Unbranded
Without shackles
Without chains
Free

No labels
Not defined by skin tone
Or height
Or weight
Free

Not defined by what I wear
Or my hair
Or shoes
Or income
Or degrees
Or any of societies’ definitions
Of success
Free,
And blissfully unaware of the existence of boxes

My dream
Is to be free

Basking in God’s eternal glow
Naked
Unmasked
Uncovered
No ulterior motives
Or hidden agendas
Free

No pressure to fit my square block
Into your round system
Of incomplete half truths
Free
And able to “BE” the “ME” that God created “ME” to “BE”

My dream
Is to be free

Free to like you
To compliment you
Without a misunderstanding
Without a misinterpretation of my intent
Free

To converse with you
Regardless of our different beliefs
Race
Class
Caste
Free

To see and be seen
Without the baggage of stereotypes
Or preconceived notions
Or the endless comparisons
To “YOUR” past failures
Followed by the constant reminders of why
I will fail to achieve my dreams
Free
From the oppression of your negativity

My dream
Is to be free

From the unyielding pressure of the rat race
From the insatiable pursuit of more
From keeping up with the Joneses
From the reality of living check to check
From credit card debt
From student loan debt
From high priced cars
From upside down mortgage loans
Free
From the allure of the American dream

My dream
Is to be free

To live life fearlessly
To share my gifts unconditionally
To love you perfectly
Free
And able to “ACCEPT” the “ME” that God created “ME” to “BE”

My dream
Is to be free
My Freedom
Starts with ME