Liberated Voice

Free your voice
like you would free a swallow
captive for so long
that she forgot
how to fly.

First you open her cage
ever so gently
for the squeaking sounds
make her quiver
with fear of an unknown sky.

Then, you whisper to her
come out, little bird,
don't be afraid to take off,
I am right here
to catch you if you fall.

You touch her broken wings
and dust off the ashes
of her burnt feathers
'from this fire you shall rise',
you sing.

Free your voice
from all spoken things
from shame and disgrace
from all tunes of sorrow and loss
and just become the song.

Then, your voice shall rise
with the choir of creation
to draw in and fill up
the sky with the sheer joy
of being alive.