Prasun Goswami

Humans Are Not Born Free

Humans are not born free by nature.
When one thinks of humans,
the idea of freedom does not arise.

Humans have walls in their minds;
many even lack their dreams.
Chains bind their thoughts,
and many lack true consciousness.

In life, humans appear distressed.
When they wage war,
shed blood, loot food, and take lives,
their wounds emerge, vivid and raw,
revealing their ruthlessness and cruelty.

The moral judgment of humans
is worse than the conscience of animals.
Blinded, they close their eyes,
snatching all with clenched fists.

When they speak, humans distort their faces,
as if a decaying belief
has rotted in their mouths for ages.

The way humans dream is gloomy.
In trying to love, they trample love itself.
Even in seeking peace,
they seem far from civilized.

Humans struggle to show empathy;
even in caressing children,
they wound their minds and hearts
with harsh blows.

The compassion of humans is hollow.
Their struggles appear futile,
like frantic creatures
running desperately in an empty desert.

In human minds, greatness lies
only in affection and love.
Poison and hatred entwine
within their hearts.

There is no compassion in their gaze;
they look around with narrowed eyes.
Freedom is sacred, yet
the freedom of humans dries up,
vanishing like a mirage.

At no moment do humans seem great.
Only when united do they appear glorious.