FREEDOM'S FLIGHT
By Rachel C. Deal
September 6, 2006

In agonizing pain, William Wallace cries out
“FREEDOM!!!!”—Arousing the crowd
And so Scotland unites—so noble and proud

They draw their swords in an emotional flood
Facing the enemy and paying with blood
Straggling home, covered in mud

Yet what happens after freedom is bought?
What is the purpose of those lessons taught?
What gives value to the battles fought?

The Scots forget and are captured once more
And from their way of life, cruelly torn
Making them wish they’d never been born

Let us remember, so we don’t fight in vain
Freedom is two-fold: First fought to be gained
And then ever after, it must be maintained






Note:
I recently forced myself to watch Braveheart, and while Wallace indeed had a brave heart, his people did not maintain the freedom that he died for, and so years after the initial independence (Battle of Bannockburn, 1314, under Robert Bruce’s command), Scotland was recaptured by the Brits.

Lesson learned: What is the worth of fighting, sacrificing, and dying if only to forget to maintain the freedom gained?

Thanks to Glenn Ahlers for putting this idea in my head