Proclaim Because You Are Free

This morning I woke in shackles
With a cloth tied around my mouth
I heard footsteps coming closer
A guard to let me out
”Under one condition..” he said, just as someone stronger
Pulled him, quickly, out of the room and lectured him like a father
He walked back in, smug-like, coy, “just figure it out yourself”
He took the key, unchained my hands, but left the cloth tied ‘round my mouth
I was curious and hopeful I could take it off -right away -when I left
I ran out the door
-hugged the guard -contemplated my arrest
”Free” in the world I fell to my knees
Ran through grass fields forgetting the bees
Lastly, ran in sand
Splashed the water
Raised my voice
To thank the Father
”Praise the…” “Thank you…” the words just wouldn’t come out
I pulled and tugged on the cloth in vain; drawing closer, this cloth, to my mouth
I sank in the sand, put my head in my hands, and wept for what seemed like days
How could they possibly take this from me
How dare they restrict my praise
I closed my eyes and opened them back to gather up some strength
To test once more- with little hope- if anything had changed
”I love You…” “im sorry…” these words were said in tears
”I need You…” “Please help me…” the beach began to clear
They thought me crazy with my senseless talk and, truly, that’s all it was
Talk to no end, talk with no purpose, is talk that’s void of Love
I prayed in my mind for there I could speak, freely, as before
”Dear Lord, I’m so sorry, I can’t say Your name anymore
I praise You here, Lord, the best I can”
And sat down feeling a hollow man
”I love You…” “I’m sorry…” I once again tried to shout
It was just then that I pondered- heartache seeping all throughout-
”I’ve thought of Your name more.. in these few hours…”
-I mourned-
”…than in so many days combined
-how I followed You before.”