Liberty vs. Responsibility

Dear Readers,

Happy Friday! Today I am sharing a poem, still in the works, about the idea of a new Statue of Responsibility to go with the existing Statue of Liberty. This idea conveys that with responsibility comes liberty, and wanting freedom or liberty without taking responsibility isn't the right approach. I still have a lot more editing to do, but feel free to give feedback on this draft! I am also in need of some title suggestions, I'm having a hard time coming up with one for this specific poem.

It started with a trip to the library,

Scrolling my hand down the aisle,

Looking for the dictionary.

With a swift hand, I pull out

A block, that somehow carries

A language’s history without being

too heavy.

I remember the word, “Liberty” and

Open the book in the middle.

Flipping a few pages here and there, and I have

Arrived at my destination.

Like a tourist, I explore every

Part of this world of a word.

The monuments, the history, it all

Comes down to the purpose of this city.

And this is what the book said:

With liberty comes responsibility.

It is something we acquire with age, responsibility.

It is something we are given, to prove ourselves.

It is the only key,

to what we call liberty

And it unlocks the doors

Of possibility–

Just imagine the skyscrapers that reach infinity.

The fascination we yield for it

Is no less than absolute,

For almost everyone has seen

Or heard about its statue.

A gift from France,

Perhaps as an apology,

Or maybe the start of a friendship.

Nevertheless, no one noticed how it

Carries the dictionary that

Holds its true meaning – the cycle.

That first comes responsibility,

and then comes your freedom,

your liberty.

5,567 – The number of words starting with r for responsibility

4,155 – The number of words starting with l for liberty

1412 is their difference.

1412 is a leap year.

1412 leaped over and forgot

to bring along the statue of responsibility.

She sits there all alone, waiting

For an apology.

But Liberty loves the fame,

The paparazzi, the profit.

And so she is forgotten,

Slowly fading away,

And will slip her way out of the dictionary.

It’s up to us, however, to use

Her key and unlock true liberty.

Show the world what they have missed,

Show them how to uncover the mist,

And teach both Liberty and Responsibility how to coexist.

I hope you enjoyed reading it!

~ Golden Ink