In-Dependence Poem by Jouhar Sadath

They say, 'You are independent, '
But everywhere, we are in dependence.

They say, 'You have the freedom to express, '
But they locked our tongue tight.

They say, 'They respect our dignity, '
But they ripped it into pieces,
In the marketplace of power.

They say, 'You walk in equality, '
But the path is asymmetrical,
Paved only for a few.

They say, 'Our voices matter, '
But they lower the volume
When the truth becomes too loud.