EDITOR’S NOTE: Given the state of federal government and the upcoming 4th of July holiday, I took a prompt that NPR sent out to readers “What does Freedom Mean to You?” and sent it to the couple dozen Pioneer contributors. We’ll share those thoughts with readers over the next several days.
Here’s a poem from Mimi Maduro that certainly captures the spirit of the holiday and of our times. Readers, please share with us – “What does freedom mean to you?” Share it words, poetry, photos, art … I think we all need to remind ourselves about what freedom truly means. Send your contributions to editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net
By Mimi Maduro
And so, we relish this fourth day of the month of July
A day celebrated in the United States of America (USA)
A day enshrined in fireworks and flags
Parades and picnics, a day of Purpose:
For remembering that on this day in 1776
We, the People declared what is evident by being human
What we could see with our own eyes that
We, the People are free to govern ourselves
Freedom to declare our independence
No divine right of kings
We can each be different, yet all have a common aim
Democracy, not monarchy.
We declared freedom by the people, for the people
Backed up by a balance of power, checks and balances
Freedom to think and speak our truth
Our north star, our compass
Freedom to feel what freedom feels like inside each of us
We feel freedom inside us, each in our own way
With a thread common among us: no fear of billionaires.
Let’s remember freedom together on this day
Feel freedom surge & swirl inside each of us
Let’s remember this visceral power of freedom:
Free to be both Independent from the ruling oligarchy &
Interdependent, pulsing with the urge & need to care for each other.
What is happening now
This taking from the poor to give to the rich
Will be undone in time
There is a reckoning, a remembering, afoot
We are remembering together, remembering to fuel each other’s freedom
We are gathering together on July 4th to recite the Declaration of Independence.*
*Join us on July 4th to celebrate our independence with a recitation of the Declaration of Independence by community members at 11 am in Maxwell Library Park adjacent to the Main Library!
Sponsored by TAPA and Tillamook County Library
See more details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/3297617013712438