Freedom's Light

"Death to all tyrants"! once blazed across the land, where slavery and oppression were close on every hand. From the shadowed corners of a troubled, warring world where once reigned cruel oppression, freedom's flags are now, unfurled. Waves of bright enlightenment have put an end to sleeping. Now, we hear the cries for freedom! Now, we hear the victims weeping! Men are slowly making changes. Bright light bathes benighted realms. Knowledge flows from pens and presses. Freedom's gained with sword and helm. But start not the celebration. All people are not yet free. Until the last man's shorn of shackles, none can know true liberty. Every time's a tyrant's overlooked, each time a cry for help is hushed, freedom everywhere is threatened until the evil's crushed. Freemen, look around you! See and recognize the state of your disadvantaged brethren, cruel oppressed by men and fate. The downtrodden poor still hunger. The homeless fear the rains. Ignorance still rears its head. Those imprisoned fight their chains. Atrocoties still happen. Slaves still wear their yokes While young and old are still neglected, worldwide freedom is a hoax. Each time a person breaks his chains, we must lend a helping hand and arm him for the struggle with the darker side of man. Let equality be his armor. Truth and honor be his creed. Place education in his sword hand. Give him purpose for a steed. When each person stands, full knowing, and opposes evil's might, then the world can truely celebrate man's journey into light. As long as darkness fllls the corners, the fight for freedom is not won. So light a candle in the shadows and welcome in the sun. * I wrote this on the occasion of the fall of the Iron Curtain, years ago. But realize it is applicable to many eras of history.