Am I Really Free? Poem by Nabakishore Dash

A saying goes
'Man is born free, but
everywhere he is in chains'.
Is then celebration
of freedom not
fictitious and self deception?

Can I do what I like?
Many things are thrust upon
me even if I despise.

Can I proceed how I want?
Family, society, Governments
are there to pull my legs,
threaten me to
change my tract,
act as deterrents.

Can I practice where I wish?
Barriers of various types
are forced upon me to
circumvent and avert,
simply making me drowned,
sullen and morose.

Can I act when I need?
So called auspicious, inauspicious
moments, days, months and
years point their fingers
to me to impede my
actions although I consider
both good and bad moments
are the same indeed.

Can I say what I think?
Police, rules, constitution,
social norms and etiquettes,
superpowers in the world,
social and print media
show their red eyes,
remind me of the aftermaths,
force me for a second thought,
make me sink.

Even here a bird,
who dares to claim the sky,
is caged as a pet.
Loses all freedom,
Cries in utmost distress to
find her mate,
freedom to fly is lost.

When I am imprisoned
in many impossible odds,
When I am afraid of doing
what pleases me, what
freedom I have attained?
I can no longer live
like this, can't die many
times before my death.
O God, take me to a realm
where there is no gate, no luck,
no keys, no latches,
to freely and
peacefully breath.