Searching for Freedom by Linda M. Crate

even flowers can grow in concrete

so you have no excuse

to stay stunted in that little black heart of yours

without growth or warmth,

and you told me once with longing in your voice

that you used to pick out the best gifts;

you've forgotten your heart and soul and how to care—

locking yourself away in your own distance

and indifference and misery

you think this absolves you from your responsibility

to other human beings,

and you feel so safe hiding behind your masks

of false charisma and charm;

but you don't understand we're all connected—

for that reason i will smash your

thousand masks

free the mermaids and mermen caught in those pale

blue eyes of always winter;

freeing myself when i free you.

Linda M. Crate is the author of the Magic Series and has many poems, short stories, reviews, and essays published both online and in print. Her third poetry collection, Sing Your Own Song, is forthcoming from Barometric Press Series.