The Price of Freedom Sought and Won

by Janice Scott-Reeder

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*

It was at midday in Spring's promised birth.

The test of fire and trial by ice were passed.

I saw the soul arise and take to flight,

Over a meadow alive with season's promise.

*

I felt my soul begin to shatter,

As I stared in shock and disbelief.

My heart froze within my bosom,

Til the chapel bells began to toll.

*

A thousand tears at once I shed.

Sobs wracked my fragile soul,

When in all innocence you knelt before me,

And took my icey hands within yours.

*

Your warmth flowed over and around me.

Your calm pervaded my every fibre,

And in your eyes of clear blue turquoise,

I saw the fate she had sealed for me.

*

Your smile was brighter than a thousand candles.

Your light lifted me higher than the clouds.

With peace and love you bathed my aching soul.

"I am for you," tumbled from your pale lips.

*

And as you turned to lead the others,

In the black lament of life lived and lost,

I ran and hid as fast as I could.

Only the empty promise of me remained.

*

It was on that day I lost love's hope,

As my soul on stainless, steel wings flew,

And I sought to find the promised knowledge,

A crystal fragile girl would gain in a man's world.