John-Ward Leighton

FINALLY FREE

He awoke
filled with giddy glee
from his body and his cares
finally free.
Free from the tyranny
of other poets lines
that had him writing under duress.
Free to finally sleep
without dreams
and all those questions unanswered.
Free from the expectations of others
be they casual friends or brothers.
Free to finally think out loud
or spend the time
contemplating a summer day
or a towering cloud.
Free to pass
just out of range
of the pitiful beggar’s
plaintive spare change.
Being at the top of your game
all the wildness of youth
suddenly tamed.
Ain’t it grand
to be bloody well dead
for all the rest to see
not knowing you have made your escape
and are finally
finally free.