I'm a punchline...words beaten into a page. I'm a hyperbole...a gross exaggeration of what blessings I deserve. I'm alliteration...repetitive mistakes with the first smile that follows an "I need you". I am personification...my mother's prayers given human characteristics. I am nothing but a literary device. So I write. This book is a collection of thoughts, observations, inspirations, and declarations about life. It is about the freedom of the human spirit. It is about freedom of speech and free thought. Each poem is intended to reflect the lives we live, the obstacles we face, and the victories we claim. In it, I hope that the reader finds reasons to be outraged, encouraged, inspired, shocked, touched, and engaged. I also hope that these poems inspire other voices to find their way to the page. Write Free, Speak Free, Live Free!