The Author of Freedom

 

 

What is the author of freedom?

Who wrote its book?

It was written by a unique author;

Let’s take a look.

 

Now, freedom is not earned

Freedom is a gift

Yet many have futilely fought for it

If you get my drift.

 

Yes, though fought for,

It has remained at large

And the pseudo freedom that ensued

Was a bully in charge.

 

A freedom with limitations

Imposed by the strong

Lording it over the less fortunate,

Forced to go along.

 

A freedom with few rights

Like the “wild Indians”

That were free to live out their life

On stipulated reservations.

 

This is not the freedom

To which I am referring

But a freedom that actually releases

The one who is hurting.

 

Its author is not obvious

To the unforgiving

But a step in the right direction

Improves one’s living.

 

 

 

It is forgiveness:

The author of freedom,

The author of freedom is forgiveness!

See the problem?

 

Forgiveness releases me

To get on with my life,

Setting me free from the bitter humbug

And its attendant strife.

 

‘Tis the problem

That we see in the world:

Engulfing individuals and communities

Its tentacles unfurl.

 

‘Tis no ethnicity

Its tentacles reach not

And from generation to generation

They teach the lot.

 

Fathers ate sour grapes,

Set children’s teeth on edge

And unforgiveness separates us all

Like an evil wedge.

 

The quest for freedom

Is a futile affair

But when forgiveness shows up

Bondage must disappear.

 

The wars that we fight

Did not start yesterday

But they all have their genesis

In an original fray.

 

And this festered

And grew alarmingly,

Its wedge going deeper and deeper

Diminishing unity.

 

Unforgiveness set in

And forgiveness receded

Thus, real freedom was thwarted,

Its cry not heeded.

 

Both parties in a bind

Not to mention also blind

And freedom sought remains at large

In unforgiveness’ grind.

 

 

 

I dare say it matters not

Who was wronged,

Forgiveness is that critical first step

In the liberty song.

 

To forgive and forget

Though the latter takes time

But let forgiveness be uppermost

In the mind.

 

“And forgive those,”

The model prayer instructs

Thus, hastening the freedom we need

And for which we look.

 

The only freedom there is

Is freedom in God

And He has designed the path thus:

Forgiveness is His call.

 

Stewart Russell © October 10, 2025

 

Online and Offline

 

 

Offline and online

Out of line and in line,

What a distance we have come

In a pretty short time!

 

In my growing-up days

It was stand in line

Like boarding the school bus:

Remember that time?

 

However, to stand in line

Is now to queue up

And you will get fixed

If you have any luck.

 

 

Or walking a straight line

If suspected of a DUI,

On the breathalyzer test

They now rely.

 

Before I forget

There was also out of line:

A reference to the rowdy

And the unruly kind.

 

There was the plumb line

Ask any mason about that:

Walls lined up back then

That is a fact!

 

Draw a straight line

And do it freehand:

In Mr. Broodhagen’s art class

That was the plan.

 

Top of the line

Used to mean the best,

It’s a cliché nowadays meaning

Just like the rest.

  

Out of line and in line

Were based on a standard

But online and offline

Speaks to going forward.

 

Money pinned to a clothesline

Is not paying online,

It would be off the line

In the quickest time.

 

A word to the foolish

And this should be sufficient:

If the above cap fits you

You are clearly deficient.

 

Computer devices help

If pupils are online,

Some are without the Internet

Even in this time.

 

 

Pupils will not be in line

If they are offline,

We would be out of line

If we move on at this time.

 

So, spare a thought

For the most vulnerable,

If they are not online

We are asking for trouble.

 

Planning takes time

If all are to benefit,

It will take more than talk

As is the frequent habit.

 

Throne speeches are great

But they are not law,

Commendation to our G.G.

Whom we must applaud.

 

She was clear and distinct

Definitely in line,

It’s now up to the PM

And her team at this time.

 

A promise is not a deed-

We must never forget,

More like comfort to a fool

No different from a bet.

 

Offline and online

Out of line and in line,

Not too much difference-

Mostly one of a kind.

 

Offline is out of line

Online is in line,

If we have no connection

We are in a bind.

  

Make sure all are online

Before moving on

Or the vulnerable will be offline

When the train is gone.

 

I know we are anxious

To return to the norm

But we must be very careful

In this COVID storm.

 

Stewart Russell © September 16, 2020