Free

our minds, a blessing and a curse
susceptible to propaganda
accepting earnestness as candor
and catchy slogans writ in verse
we wish to resonate in kind
and cannot fully comprehend
when others do not understand
why can't they see, they must be blind
our gods, both secular and divine
demand obeisance -- we ought
they say, to criminalize thought
that's not aligned to what they preach
what is the value of free speech
oh yes, you compartmentalize
assign neat buckets to your lies
and feel secure in your own truth
ah, for the certainty of youth
what is the value of free speech?
it's hard to practice what you preach

Author notes: "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." —George Orwell, 1984