Freedom By Langston Hughes

 I was subbing at a high school today.  I was teaching English.  Actually I was subbing for an English Teacher.  In college I was studying to be a H.S. English Teacher but instead got my degree in English Literature.  I figured I was probably not going to be a public school teacher and was eager to get overseas and teach English and do ministry work which I ended up doing after I graduated.  As for public schools, I went from 1992 to 2019 without teaching at one, so it worked out pretty well.  

I actually wasn't teaching English today, I was pretty much taking attendance, sending students yo the bathroom, and reading some of the books I brought with me.  I took solace in the fact that I could have taught this class if the need had arisen.  By 8th hour I decided to take a step away from my books and look at one ofthe teacher's texts.  It is called Advanced Language and Literature.  I opened up to Chapter 12 Section 1 and ran into an old friennd, Langston Hughes, whose poem Freedom adorned that chapter

I have typed it out hear without permission.  If you click on the title you can see the poem on it's poetry foundation page.  

Freedom By Langston Hughes

Freed will not come

Today, this year

Nor Ever

Through compromise and fear

I have as much right

As the other fellow has

To stand

On My Two Feet

And Own The land

I tire so of hearing people say,

Let things take their course

Tomorrow is another day

I Do noy need my freedom when I'm dead

I cannot live on tomorrow's bread

Freedom 

Is a strong seed

Planted

In a great need

I live here, too

I want my freedom

Just as you.