Joanne Maria McNally
Freedom of Mind in Rosa
Freedom of Mind in Rosa
(In memory of Rosa Luxemburg, 1871-1919)
Still I am a corpse
Quite unconscious
Wild was the storm
More wild
Than I’d imagined
Then
When my work
Was all
My people
All
Now I float to the surface
Quite slowly
Almost silently
In the wake of atrocities
Atrocities
Also in my wake –
I couldn’t prevent them.
Now I’m moved
To and fro
Still trapped in the basin
As in a witch’s cauldron
Knocked from all sides
How long still
How long before I’ll be
Before I’ll really be?
Thrown away
Like putrid meat
After being beaten
Shot
Fleeced
In the depth of winter.
Now I float
Veiled in darkness
Alone
In ice-cold water
Far from the chaos
Bloodbath
And hunt:
Songs of ill will
Dissipated
Hate campaigns
Dispelled
Murderous chants
Dispersed
With head intact
I float and reflect:
No more I’ll lead
That’s passed
Now I am
And will yet be.
Differently
I think
About people
Animals, justice
The world.
My work?
It’s not yet done
As I’d wished –
Its dawn awaits
The compass points
To new directions
I am awakened
I rise to the sun
Stride forth
Turn my head
Look behind
And see –
Many follow:
They are the free
Grimsby, July 2007