Free

The forest is thick beyond the cliff that I look down 

My hands are free 

I am a powerful warrior woman

I stand with scraped forearms and knees 

A little scared 

A little bruised 

Clutching my machete 

I look down at my bruised thigh that peeks from the hole in my ripped jeans

The voices in my head are often evil 

They are transplants from the mouths of heartless mortals

I can feel it when my heart beats in a time like this

I have survived the battles 

I have arrived at this peaceful vision of foliage 

There is nothing but freedom and love down there 

With me I carry all this pain

These bloody marks look deadly 

But it is beauty

It is life 

My hands are free

And they might always be this empty

Yet there are many stories of past defeats and victories 

There are lessons and wisdom that are priceless

Had these hands not have been free 

I may not have had this extraordinary journey 

Freedom comes with a price but gives many rewards

My hands are empty my love

I am not a perfect woman

I know too much to be

Anything but free