Poem:
Freedom to None
Shackles to one is freedom to none.
Are my people different from you and me?
To celebrate the 24th of May always baffles me.
It’s been 30 years and still no freedom.
How do you celebrate Independence day with the absence of freedom?
No judiciary, active slavery and blood shed in the Mediterranean sea.
Yet, you are so filled with glee on the 24th of May.
As for me?
I have never seen what it’s like for my people to be free.
As for me,
my humanity is not bound by my nationality.
And as for me?
As for me,
I refuse to embrace what is internationally displacing my people.
The resilience of our ancestors, bloodbath of our brothers and the tears of our mothers- at what cost?
The cost of no freedom.
Are they no different to you and me?
Is shackles on one not freedom to none?
Artist Statement:
My name is Maranata and I am 21 years old. I am an Eritrean who was born in Melbourne, but now lives in Perth.
Poetry is my favorite creative outlet. For me, poetry has been a profound expression of ideas, beliefs and self.
The piece I chose to write about was of resistance. My refusal to celebrate a freedom that is not shared by all Eritreans. I refuse to celebrate freedom and victory while my people are still fighting. Shackles on one is freedom to none.