A Silenced Flame

Knock, knock, knock.
It's the man who's come to mock.
He bargains for your freedom
Within his controlled kingdom.

He says it's better this way
Rather than having come what may.
To have mind and heart locked up,
The flow of ideas coming to a stop.

Don't let that fire ignite.
Don't let those wings take flight.
He says to keep them in the dark,
To extinguish that burning spark.

But there's a symphony calling out,
Telling you not to just sit and doubt.
And when you look in the mirror,
You realize the sound is familiar.

It's freedom calling out the door,
Telling you to seek out for more.
She offers choice and deed,
The freedom to speak, to say what you need.

And though he wears the crown,
Chains aren't enough to hold you down.
Ideas will soon soar like wings will
And true power you shall feel.

Freedom beckons you to follow your heart,
To let your mind do its part.
To not bend to his cruel design,
To not let him call you "mine."

So let your voice be heard; speak
To the prisoners, the silenced, the weak.
No one should be under control.
Let words be spoken from everyone, from all.

Author's Note

This was the winning piece in my school's Poetry Writing segment in our English Fest, which I got into with my entry, "Braving The Storm." This is also one of the first poems I'd ever written, so I wasn't that adept at writing poetry yet when I made this back then. Feedback is appreciated!