<bgsound src="midis/romance.mid" loop=infinite>

FREEDOM ©By Russ



©Photograph By Lynn Shawn



It is hot today, oppressive, the pain of my injury, and being unable to move about, causes me to feel trapped. An Osprey sits on a ragged limb, high in an old fir. He is patiently picking at a fishing line that is tangled in his huge feet. A section of fishing pole dangles beneath the limb, swaying back and forth with each movement the hawk makes. I know that the river is closed to fishing this year and such a thing should not have happened. And even though I know how pointless it is to be angry, I rail against the unknown fisherman just the same. I want to help, but know here is nothing that I can do, but to accept my role as a observer, and to wish this big hawk well. The baby robin hops back and forth in it’s basket, continually trying to find a way out. He’ll have to stay until he is stronger, because right now freedom for him will be just another snare. A tiny breeze begins to stir, and the smallest leaves at the top of the trees shiver in delight. The wind drops down and cools the yard. I get up, and work my way down the steps cautiously, watching every step I take,going to where strawberries hang invitingly over the side of a large red clay pot. Today, freedom is being able to reach them, and return back up on the porch again. A wasp, trapped in a spider web hanging from the eaves and struggles to be free. I find my self an observer once again. I decide to free the wasp, and rob the spider of it’s meal ( though wasps are not my favorite creatures). But, at that moment I decide, the wasp breaks loose it’s bonds and flies away. I wonder about this day, and the how the same thing appears over and over again, but in a slightly different form. And consider freedom the meaning set forth for me today. Of appearing trapped, but able to get free. And I turn expectantly to where the Osprey was, and note that he is gone. Russ









Return To Index