Be Free!

The raging river rushes;

unchecked and free

Only to get caught in the whirlpool -

Before it breaks free again.

The vast ocean sleeps;

calm and undisturbed

Only for the maelstrom to rise and swirl -

Before it subsides again.

Such is man’s life also

Through happiness and sorrow

But both are powerful prisons

For in neither is he truly free.

“My money”, the man says;

“My children and my wife”

“My name and fame”, he asks -

“Are they naught but lies?”

They are real, comes an answering voice;

As real as your body and mind

But you are attached to them -

That’s where your folly lies.

Be the raging river; be free!

Be the vast ocean; be free!

Let the whirlpools of worldly life

Be naught but momentary ripples

Be Free!

–

The inspiration for this poem came from a lecture by Swami Vivekananda. You can read it here if you like.