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.”