The Elixir of Freedom

The elixir of freedom

I woke up from a slumber..

With an urge so great

to get out of the shell

and the layers of

protective and prohibitive

leathery petals that engulfed me...

Not that I never tried before...

Timidly though, I had tried many times..

But never had enough strength or will...

The shell was hard and strong..

I failed miserably..

But it was different this time..

I was determined...

I couldn't bear the darkness,

helplessness, worthlessness

and captivity anymore...

I pushed and kicked

again and again, tirelessly..

I was about to give up,

But then there appeared

a tiny crack on the shell...

I kept my face in the crack...

Inhaled the feeble fragrance of fresh air..

It was divine and inspiring..

With all my might I pushed and kicked.,.

Finally my perseverance paid off...

I broke out of the shell...

I blinked at the mesmerizing light...

Fluttered my tender wings..

The captors told me to go back inside....

Told me that without their protection,

I would not survive outside...

They tried to get hold of me,

to clip my tender wings.

But, no no no, I said..

Never again into captivity..

After all those years of darkness..

I knew what it meant to be free..

I'd grown too fast...

Sucking in the abundant air...

Grown too big for the shell...

I spread my tiny wings...

Out I go gliding in the wind...

Along the mountain ranges...

Over the seas and meadows...

My wings become stronger

every passing moment,

consuming the elixir of freedom..

Preetha Raj

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