Free World

You don't live in the free world.
Those in the power elite live in the free world.
In a world where they are free
to kill and steal and torture and oppress -
directly or indirectly
as custom and circumstances dictate.

You don't live in the free world,
a world where you are free
to give freely of your time and skill
and compassion.
Your very life is taxed
with survival.

You don't live in the free world,
free of stress and want and fear.
your power is taken
by those who have taken power.

That which is not forbidden is mandatory;
that which is not white is black;
that which is not free is stolen
and might never be given back.

- by Prajna Pranab, 2 July 2004